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Preston finance committee previews 2026–27 school budget, requests enrollment and staffing details
Summary
The Preston Public Schools Board of Education Finance Committee reviewed high‑level priorities for the 2026–27 budget on Jan. 22, focusing on safety, class size, staffing and capital needs; the committee asked staff for enrollment, paraeducator, non‑lapsing fund and caseload information ahead of further budget analysis.
The Preston Public Schools Board of Education Finance Committee met Jan. 22 at the Preston Plains Library to begin review of the district’s 2026–27 budget, with Superintendent Dr. Seitsinger and finance staff outlining priorities and uncertainties that could shape next year’s spending.
Superintendent Dr. Seitsinger framed the budget around student safety, maintaining small class sizes, and sustaining staff levels deemed necessary for long‑term student success. He said the district is emphasizing academic recovery and achievement while preparing students for a changing technology environment that includes artificial intelligence.
Dr. Seitsinger clarified budget terminology for the committee, distinguishing "unencumbered funds" from a "budget surplus" and explaining how the district evaluates "acceptable risk" when budgeting.
Finance Director Cynthia Varricchio told the committee that health‑care premiums are trending higher and that the district expects increased employee utilization of benefits; the meeting discussion referenced a planning range of roughly 6%–8% for premium increases. Staff also flagged larger revenue risks, including possible changes to federal grant programs (such as a shift toward competitive block grants) and potential reductions in Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements.
The committee covered several substantive items that will shape the budget request to the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen. Dr. Seitsinger identified capital priorities that will be communicated in a letter to those bodies and named the HVAC system at PPMS as a top facilities project. Staff discussed restoring elementary Spanish for grades 4 and 5, and noted that administrators did not request new administrative hires for 2026–27; however, new stipends and overtime lines still require review.
Labor costs were a recurring concern: the superintendent said two labor contracts are open for negotiation and referenced an illustrative state resolution figure of 9%–12% over three years as a context for bargaining. Staff also noted federal and state training mandates for employees as additional cost drivers.
On regional supports, Dr. Seitsinger said small‑district superintendents are exploring partnerships to offset potential reductions in assistance from Regional Education Service Centers (RESCs) and other external providers.
Committee members requested specific follow‑up information to inform line‑by‑line review at future meetings: PK–8 enrollment and class‑section counts, paraeducator assignments, student supplies details, the Board of Education’s non‑lapsing fund management procedures, workload and caseload information for school social workers and school psychologists, and identification of budget lines currently trending ahead of the prior year. Varricchio noted that the BOE budget will not be published in ClearGov or on the district website until the full Board of Education votes to transmit the budget to the Board of Finance.
Votes at a glance: Courtney Ennis moved and Kelly McNamara seconded a motion to record and post the Finance Committee minutes from Oct. 16, 2025 (motion presented during the meeting). Later, Ennis moved and McNamara seconded a motion to adjourn at 7:41 p.m.; both motions were seconded as recorded in the meeting minutes.
The committee scheduled its next finance meeting for Jan. 29, 2026. The session closed with committee chair Kelly McNamara signing the minutes as submitted.
