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Presenter outlines preliminary School District of the Chathams budget; finance committee recommends 5.99% tax impact
Summary
The School District of the Chathams's presenter said the district faces an approximately $4 million shortfall driven by a tuition revenue loss tied to full-day kindergarten and a 17.6% rise in health premiums; the finance committee recommended a 5.99% tax-impact option and the district signaled plans for a fall referendum to fund turf fields and other capital work.
The School District of the Chathams presenter reviewed a preliminary budget for the upcoming school year and said the district faces an approximate $4 million shortfall driven mainly by the shift to full-day kindergarten and large increases in health insurance costs. The finance committee reviewed multiple budget options and settled on a 5.99% annual tax-impact recommendation that the presenter said would help close the gap while reducing staff and program costs.
The presenter told listeners the district has six schools and serves about 3,600 students with 420 certificated staff. Academic highlights cited included 30 AP courses at Chatham High School, roughly 1,157 AP exams taken last year (about 85% of enrolled AP students) with 97% scoring a 3 or higher, 69 students earning the state seal of biliteracy (72 seals total), and strong postsecondary placements for the class of 2025.
On budget specifics, the presenter said the district expects about $1,000,000 less in tuition revenue because of the move to…
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