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Cape Cod Tech presents $19.3M budget; district protests lottery admissions, Dennis allocated 15 spots
Summary
Cape Cod Technical High School presented its FY2027 operating budget ($19.3M), enrollment increases and a state‑mandated lottery admissions process that will apportion 15 freshman seats to Dennis; the principal said the school opposed the lottery but will comply and livestream the drawing.
Dr. Sanborn presented Cape Cod Technical High School's FY2027 operating budget to the joint meeting on March 12, stating the total operating budget at $19,300,000 and describing enrollment, admissions changes and capital and liability items affecting the school.
Admissions: lottery and Dennis apportionment
Sanborn said the state (the Healy administration and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) imposed a lottery for admissions and that Cape Cod Tech will run the lottery with a third party live in his office, with the drawing streamed. "The Healy administration along with the Department of Ed forced a lottery on us," he said. The school committee established an apportionment that gives Dennis 15 freshman seats under the new method; Sanborn said the apportionment is recalculated each year based on the year's application percentages.
Enrollment and budget highlights
Sanborn reported modest net enrollment gains and said Cape Cod Tech was up by 22 students overall and that Dennis's apportionment would be 15 seats for the coming freshman class. He said the school operates a mix of comprehensive and technical programs and that the FY27 budget contains no new staff additions and in fact reduces one science instructor position.
Capital, transportation and energy
Sanborn noted the district has one‑time and ongoing capital needs and described progress on transportation electrification: the bus contractor has 10 electric buses and is coordinating vehicle delivery with a planned PV panel installation at the bus compound so chargers will be supported by solar generation. He said the solar array is intended to supply about 40% of the school's electricity at roughly 11.9¢ per kilowatt hour versus current grid rates of about 22–23¢.
OPEB liability and long‑term finance
Sanborn outlined the district's OPEB (retiree benefits) strategy and noted an estimated OPEB liability of about $20,900,000 and current assets in the trust of roughly $3.5 million; the district intends a multi‑decade funding plan to address the gap.
Ending
Sanborn closed by thanking the committee; the finance committee and select board moved on to final questions and adjournment. The Cape Cod Tech admission lottery is scheduled to be run publicly and the school encouraged any concerns about the policy to be raised with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
