Budget subcommittee backs $1.09 million in state earmarks, approves FY27 calendar and posts innovation director job

The Springfield Public Schools Budget & Finance Subcommittee voted Jan. 28 to recommend spending three state grant awards totaling $1,088,859, approved a revised fiscal‑year 2027 budget calendar and authorized the job posting for a new Executive Director of Innovation Schools position, the panel said.

The subcommittee recommended that the full school committee approve: $28,859 from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a school gardening and student‑health project; $550,000 in Fair Share earmarks to support repairs, multilingual learner resources and arts programming across several schools; and $510,000 from the Executive Office of Education for building upgrades including fire‑alarm updates, ADA work and audiovisual infrastructure. "The purpose of this grant is to encourage the National School Lunch Program ... to grow or procure local food and educate our students," the Superintendent said, describing the Mass Farming/education grant.

Why it matters: The earmarked funds are intended to address building maintenance, accessibility and instructional supports across the district, including targeted repairs at Indian Orchard Elementary, translation and classroom audio/AV pilots, and expanded arts and multilingual resources. Chief Roach credited the local legislative delegation for securing the Fair Share funds and staff said they will send lawmakers a formal thank‑you.

Most important facts: Committee members asked how priorities were chosen for the technology and building projects. Staff said choices were driven by a mix of state legislation and feasibility studies to identify buildings ready to receive upgrades; they described a pilot in about five schools for MSBA‑approved translation and classroom audio systems and noted that existing intercoms were nearing end of life. Juan Montoya, an electrical engineer on staff, was named as leading the acoustical engineering work for the pilot.

Votes and next steps: For each recommendation the subcommittee recorded roll‑call votes. The clerk announced Miss Hurst absent; Miss Crawford and Miss Rona/Monroe Naylor recorded affirmative votes on the motions and the chair declared the recommendations passed. All approved items will be brought to the full school committee for a final vote.

Budget calendar and public participation: The subcommittee approved the FY27 budget calendar with two amendments: (1) moving the April 8 finance subcommittee meeting start time from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and (2) adding additional places to make budget documents available (neighborhood councils and community centers in addition to the district website, libraries and central office). Staff described planned outreach: website postings, social media, press releases, links to local media, distribution through a partner mailing list and hard copies in public libraries. The Superintendent emphasized the March 4 public input session as the key opportunity for residents to influence priorities while the budget is being built.

Posting for Executive Director of Innovation Schools: The subcommittee approved moving forward to post the Executive Director of Innovation Schools role, which staff said is needed to lead reintegration of schools returning from the Springfield Empowerment Zone. The Superintendent said the position had been posted previously but withdrawn while district policy questions were clarified; the posting will now be released and the position will be supported by an executive administrative assistant when it comes online.

Access and equity: Members urged the district to ensure outreach reaches families who lack internet access. Staff proposed in‑person support via parent liaisons and using school computers, and noted the public hearings will allow residents to give input in person. The district will consider remote participation for public input sessions where feasible.

Other items: The chair asked for an update on SciTech elevators; staff said that topic will be scheduled for an upcoming Building and Maintenance agenda. The meeting adjourned after the roll call vote.

All quotes and attributions are taken from the subcommittee's Jan. 28 proceedings; the recommendations now move to the full school committee for final action.