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Committee flags kindergarten enrollment projections as it reviews FY2027 budget
Summary
While expressing general support for the FY2027 budget framework, the Finance Committee asked the School Department for updated kindergarten registration data and clarification about fee collection practices after members identified discrepancies in enrollment figures.
The Finance Committee reviewed the proposed FY2027 municipal and school budgets on March 23 and expressed general support for the budget framework while requesting additional data from the School Department on kindergarten enrollment projections and fee collection practices.
Committee members, including Phillip King and Donald Brichta, said the Superintendent had committed to providing updated kindergarten registration numbers but the data had not yet been received. Brichta highlighted discrepancies between projected enrollment figures and records from the Town Clerk that suggested possible overestimation. Members asked the School Department to provide current registrations and clarifications on how fees (for devices and programs) are collected and applied to capital expenditures or operating accounts.
Despite these concerns, members acknowledged the School Department budget remains within the agreed priorities allocation and that variances in specific line items would be managed by the School Committee. The Finance Committee did not take a final budget vote and said it will review the final warrant spreadsheet and vote on the exact budget amount at a future meeting once follow‑up information is received.
