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Millis School Committee approves transportation, facility and athletics fee increases and adopts $22.05 million FY27 budget
Summary
The committee voted to raise transportation fees by 3.5% for FY27–FY28, adopted an updated facility rental fee schedule and approved an athletic fee plan ($248 in FY27, $258 in FY28 with a five‑season family cap). The superintendent's $22,046,250 FY2027 operating budget was also approved and submitted to town meeting.
The Millis School Committee voted on several budget‑related items and fee schedules after staff presented district financial projections and comparative rates with neighboring towns.
On transportation, a staff presenter told the committee the district faces financial challenges for FY27 and recommended a 3.5% increase to regular student transportation fees for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to stabilize the portion of general expenses covered by the fee. Committee members discussed early‑registration discounts, family caps and the risk that a large jump could lead families to opt out of bus service. A motion to approve a 3.5% increase for FY27 and FY28 passed unanimously.
The committee also considered facility rental fees after staff presented a comparison showing Millis charged substantially less than nearby districts (example cited: classroom rental $21/hour in Millis versus $40/hour in Holliston). The proposed FY26 facility rental fee schedule — with nonprofit exemptions for groups that serve Millis students — was moved, seconded and adopted.
On athletics, staff reviewed deficits in the athletics revolving account and projected that modest fee increases could restore balance. The committee approved an athletic fee schedule of $248 per sport for FY27 and $258 per sport for FY28 and amended the athletic family cap to cover five seasons starting with the 2026–27 school year; the motion passed unanimously.
Finally, the superintendent’s recommended FY2027 operating budget of $22,046,250 (a 3.5% increase over FY2026) was moved and approved unanimously for submission to town meeting. Budget staff said a previously budgeted out‑of‑district tuition item was no longer required because the student will return to the district, which freed approximately $108,118 and allowed them to preserve staffing levels while meeting the town’s 3.5% municipal cap.
Committee members asked about review cadence for fee schedules (staff recommended annual review) and whether fee changes would price families out of programs; staff said reduced rates and free/reduced provisions will be used where families qualify. The meeting adjourned to executive session on personnel negotiations at the end of the public session.
Votes at a glance: approval of April 7, 2026 meeting minutes (passed, one abstention); transportation fee increase (3.5% for FY27–FY28, passed unanimously); facility rental fee schedule (adopted); athletic fee schedule and family cap amendment (adopted); FY2027 operating budget $22,046,250 (adopted).
