Southampton School Committee approves restorative FY27 budget request, urges town override

The Southampton School Committee voted unanimously on March 11 to forward a restorative FY27 budget request to the Select Board that would restore positions and supply lines cut after last year’s failed override.

Chair Kim Schott opened the public hearing and said the committee’s starting proposal restores two positions at Norris School — a full‑time equivalent math interventionist and a fourth specials teacher — and adds partial supply funding. Business administrator John told the committee the restorative request would result in a total expenditure budget of $7,324,437 and a town contribution of $6,705,437, representing a $845,855 increase and a 14.44% rise in the town share compared with FY26.

“The inclusion of those two positions and some supplies is our starting point tonight,” Kim Schott said, noting that any budget the committee forwards still requires a town override to be implemented. John said the administration deliberately used conservative revenue estimates for uncertain state reimbursements (for example, school choice and the cherry‑sheet figures) so the town would not be obliged to spending it before the state had reconciled payments.

Committee members pressed for more restoration. One member said the proposed two restorations were insufficient, noting the prior cuts eliminated an art teacher, classroom teachers and several paraprofessionals. “Restoration is the bare minimum we need to do,” a committee member said, arguing that larger restoration would better serve students’ needs but acknowledging the political risk of asking for a higher override amount.

Multiple public speakers urged full funding. Lauren Ames, co‑president of the Southampton Teachers Association, read a letter describing classroom effects from last year’s cuts — larger primary‑grade classes, reduced speech and occupational therapy hours, and no dedicated math intervention — and warned that an additional $500,000 in cuts would further erode essential services. Parent commenters and teachers spoke in favor of a grassroots campaign to educate voters and increase turnout ahead of town meeting and the ballot vote.

After public comment, a committee member moved to pass the restorative budget request and to reduce the initial request by $619,000 on the cover sheet so the town‑level ask becomes $6,705,437. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The committee closed the public hearing and will present the restored budget numbers and rationale to the Select Board as the town considers a potential override.

The committee and administration emphasized next steps: town‑level budgeting decisions are made at Select Board and town meeting stages, and an override — if placed on the ballot — will require voter turnout. The committee said it will continue outreach, produce clear, fact‑based materials and coordinate informational sessions to explain what would be restored if an override passes and what would be cut if it fails.

The committee also approved routine FY26 line‑item transfers to cover known overages and accepted a small charitable gift to the school’s gift revolving account. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.