Finance board approves report, urges stronger collaboration with school committee on education budget

The Groveland Finance Board unanimously approved its draft finance board report on April 8, 2026 and asked for stronger collaboration with school committee representatives and the superintendent on the education budget.

Adam, a finance board member, urged stronger language that would require the school committee or superintendent to appear before the finance board during budget deliberations. "I would like the school board to have to come and sit with us when we're going through the budget and not just whip a number out," he said, arguing that education accounts for a large portion of the town budget. "It's It's a 65% of the budget. We have no input on it whatsoever," Adam added, pressing for more direct engagement.

Rebecca, the town administrator, said she had more success getting the superintendent to respond than getting members of the school committee to engage and suggested the report language request that either school committee members, the superintendent or the business manager attend finance board meetings starting in fiscal year 2028. Several board members, including Brian, said the school committee has an obligation to the town and should send a representative to explain its position when requested.

Adam moved to approve the report as edited with stronger collaboration language; Melissa Mach seconded. The board approved the motion in a roll‑call vote with all members voting yes. The report will be presented at town meeting on April 27.

Board members also discussed concerns about upcoming housing development on Soul Street and potential enrollment impacts, and they thanked Rebecca and town staff for their work preparing the report.