Swampscott projects small FY26 underspend but flags special-education and facilities overages; committee approves educator MOA

The Swampscott School Committee on Feb. 26 received a Q2 FY26 financial projection that forecasts the district will finish the year modestly under budget while several cost centers show pressures.

A district presenter said the projection anticipates a $65,293 overall underrun for FY26. Key line items cited: the administration cost center is projected to finish under budget by about $39,000; a district‑wide cost center is projected under by $127,000, driven in part by lower‑than‑expected salaries among several new administrators; and general education is projected under by $471,000, in part from retirements and lower replacement salaries. By contrast, the school facilities cost center is projected to finish over budget by about $180,000, primarily because of higher electricity costs at Swampscott Elementary School and an unexpected HVAC repair at the middle school. Special education is projected to finish over budget by $392,000, of which $200,000 had been anticipated and placed in the special‑education reserve fund at the start of the year.

The presenter noted unpredictability in state transportation reimbursement for special education and the circuit‑breaker program, saying the district must incur transportation costs and is reimbursed later, with the reimbursement rate varying by year. "The transportation portion of our circuit breaker reimbursement sometimes is zero, sometimes it's 25%. Sometimes it's 50. And so there's no predictability around how much we as a district will get reimbursed," the presenter said. Committee members also discussed difficulties hiring bus drivers and the effect that has on costs and service.

On actions, the committee unanimously approved a motion authorizing the vice chair to sign documents as chair. The board also voted to accept a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the educators' association and the school committee that adjusts hourly rates for home‑and‑hospital tutors to better match market rates. During a roll‑call vote the recorded votes were "yes" from Suzanne, John, Miguel and the chair; the motion passed unanimously. The committee also moved donations and minutes into the consent agenda and approved them.

The chair reminded the public that the school committee will join the select board and finance committee the following Monday to hear the town administrator’s FY27 budget presentation; that meeting is expected to be streamed.

The committee did not take further budget votes Feb. 26; several members thanked staff for the quarterly report and requested continued monitoring of special‑education and utility costs.