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School committee approves 2026–27 calendar; staff to return with formalized finance policy draft
Summary
The Swampscott School Committee approved the 2026–27 calendar at its March 12 meeting and heard a proposal from Assistant Superintendent Miss Stella to codify the district’s financial practices (revolving funds, circuit breaker and reserve policies). The committee asked staff to circulate the draft for review and return to the board.
The Swampscott School Committee voted to approve the 2026–27 school calendar during its March 12 meeting at Swampscott High School. The approved plan sets teacher orientation for Aug. 31 and the first student day on Sept. 2 and reduces one professional-development day while preserving two conference nights.
The calendar discussion concluded with a motion, a second and a voice vote; committee members answered 'I' on the approval.
The meeting also included a presentation from Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Miss Stella proposing that the district codify long-standing financial practices into a single written policy. Miss Stella said the draft would formalize budget-development practices, revolving-fund target balances, circuit-breaker management for special education, and guidance on handling surplus and prepayment of expenses.
Committee members asked for clarifications about how targets would work in practice. Staff explained that many districts aim to keep a 'normal' revolving-fund balance near 10% of revenues; Swampscott’s revolving funds ended fiscal year 2025 at about 4.4% and were at about 4.8% as of the end of February, the presentation said. The draft policy would treat those percentages as targets rather than immediate changes and would encourage town coordination when funds approach statutory limits.
There was no final action to adopt the financial policy at the meeting. Committee members asked staff to circulate the draft and return it for committee review; staff said they will accept written comments and planned to bring a revised draft back to the committee for consideration.
Votes at a glance: - 2026–27 school calendar — Motion to approve: carried (voice approval; committee responded 'I'). (Discussion and motion: SEG 1511–SEG 1624.) - Donations accepted — Parent/teacher forum donation and boys basketball boosters donation: approved by voice vote. (Discussion and motions: SEG 1928–SEG 1990.) - Minutes accepted — Regular-session minutes from Feb. 5 and Feb. 26: approved by voice vote. (Discussion and motions: SEG 1994–SEG 2005.)
Next steps: Staff will circulate the proposed financial-policy draft for committee comment and follow up at a future meeting; Program of Studies materials will be distributed to families beginning March 16 and counselors will meet with students in April to finalize schedules.
