Scholarship Committee sets Jan. 31 paperwork deadline, keeps FY26 budget at $20,000

At a Jan. 14, 2025 meeting, the Scholarship Committee approved the minutes from May 1, 2024, confirmed that 2025 scholarship forms have been sent to schools and set a Jan. 31 deadline for paperwork from students who received scholarships in 2024. The committee also recorded that the budget would be level-funded at $20,000 for fiscal year 2026 and agreed to meet around May 1, 2025, to review new FY26 applications and award scholarships.

Why it matters: The committee’s schedule and deadlines determine when students and schools must submit documentation for consideration and set the funding baseline available for awards next year. Committee members also assigned follow-up tasks to gather information about possible scholarship support for a sixth-grade field trip.

During the meeting the committee approved the minutes from May 1, 2024; the transcript does not record who moved or seconded the approval, or any vote tally. Committee members reported that 2025 scholarship forms have been distributed to schools and that paperwork for students awarded scholarships in 2024 is due Jan. 31. The committee noted that the FY26 budget is level-funded at $20,000; the transcript records the figure but does not specify whether a formal recorded vote took place.

Laurie Nikituk said she will prepare the Town Report and the committee’s publication for the Observer. Brandi Page said she will gather information for the next meeting about the sixth-grade field trip and whether scholarship funds could be used to help cover costs. The group set a meeting around May 1, 2025, to review new FY26 applications and make awards.

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 10:55 a.m. The minutes were submitted by Lyn OBrien, per the transcript notation.