Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orange Board hears proposed $24.2M budget, staff outline mental-health grants
Summary
Superintendent and staff told the board the district’s proposed operating budget is $24,214,154 (a 3.9% increase) and described three mental-health grants, including a $50,000 ARPA summer-support grant and a Rotary gift of $15,000 used for student mental-health services.
The Orange Board of Education received a budget and grants update at its March 17 meeting. Business official Mr. Gregg told the board the proposed operating budget is $24,214,154, an increase of 3.9% over the prior year. "The proposed budget is in the amount of $24,214,154 which is an increase of 3.9%," he said.
Mr. Gregg summarized three mental-health grants that will fund programming: a $50,000 ARPA Summer Mental Health Supports grant for summer services; a $20,000 primary mental-health K–3 early-detection/intervention grant (about $8,000 spent, roughly $11,500 remaining); and an ARPA School Mental Health Specialist grant currently funding a school social worker’s salary. Mr. Gregg said the district will begin funding 30% of that position in the next budget cycle and plans to include 100% of the cost in fiscal year 2027.
Superintendent Dr. Scarpetti also noted a private Rotary donation: "Rotary gave us a gift of $15,000 for mental health support," which the district has used for after-school supports and plans to use for an upcoming family event.
Mr. Gregg outlined proposed capital items presented to the Board of Finance, including a backup generator at MLT, playground paving at Turkey Hill, a Peck Place library media center refurbishment, gym-floor refinishing, stop-arm cameras for buses and HVAC/backflow upgrades across schools. He emphasized these capital items were part of the package presented during the Board of Finance meeting on March 3.
Board members asked whether the highlighted grants are state or federal funds and whether potential withholding of funds could affect the budget. Mr. Gregg said the three grants he described are state-funded but acknowledged that if broader funding were withheld it could affect district budgets and would be addressed if and when that occurred.
The board was reminded of upcoming budget dates: Board of Finance budget hearing April 22, annual town meeting May 14, and the Orange budget referendum on May 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The district’s budget presentation and capital requests will proceed through the scheduled public hearings and the finance process; the board did not take a final vote on the operating budget at this meeting.
