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Dorchester 2 board approves budget presentation stressing teacher raises and behavior supports
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Summary
Trustees approved sending a proposed FY27 budget presentation to county council that includes a proposed $2,500 increase to starting teacher pay (to $54,000) and new behavior-support investments; the presentation details a proposed budget of about $314.8 million and outlines millage scenarios.
The Dorchester School District 2 board on April 27 unanimously approved a proposed FY27 budget presentation to send to Dorchester County Council that emphasizes teacher pay increases, additional student behavior supports, and continued investment in recruitment and retention.
Finance presenter Miss Meunier told trustees the district’s proposed FY27 revenue picture projects $310,135,275 in revenues and a proposed budget of $314,803,520. The proposal includes a recommended $2,500 increase to the starting teacher salary (raising it toward $54,000), additional funds for behavior supports (social workers, registered behavior technicians and other staff) and other district priorities. A motion by Mister Lee, seconded by Mister Guthrie, approved the presentation for county council; the vote was 7–0.
Why it matters: The presentation outlines choices that will be reviewed by county council, including how many mills the district may request (the board presented scenarios and explained the value of a mill at $465,000). Miss Meunier explained that the proposed net expenditure changes total about $14.7 million, which equates to roughly 10.3 mills; she also showed the district’s breakdown of funds across instruction, support, and facilities.
Details trustees heard: The budget materials list priorities (behavior supports, teacher recruitment/retention, administrator and classified staff adjustments) and estimated dollar amounts associated with those requests. The presentation noted state funds make up the majority of revenue (about 72%) and local property taxes about 26% of general-fund revenues. Meunier reviewed capital funding sources and clarified that referendum (8%) funds are restricted to capital projects like the Ashley Ridge track and Newington ceiling projects discussed later in the meeting.
Board questions and next steps: Trustees asked for clarification about what can and cannot be funded with particular revenue buckets; Miss Meunier reiterated capital dollars cannot be used for teacher raises. The board will present the approved materials to County Council in Somerville on May 11 at 4:00 p.m. for the next stage of review.
Vote: Motion to approve the proposed budget presentation made by Mister Lee, seconded by Mister Guthrie; vote carried 7 in favor.
