School committee approves FY26 budget timeline, some dates left to finalize

The Middleborough School Committee unanimously accepted a revised FY26 budget calendar on Wednesday after Director of Business and Finance Michael Peron walked members through a trimmed timeline and community engagement dates. The committee voted to approve the timeline "as proposed," noting some dates remain to be set.

Peron told the committee the updated schedule tightens several deadlines and includes school improvement council meetings planned to solicit community feedback. He said the electronic version of the calendar is easier to read and that the district will finalize dates once the town confirms the annual town meeting date, which remains "TBD." "We have a new and improved updated budget timeline," Peron said during his presentation.

Superintendent Lions explained the district had coordinated with the town manager and the director of business and finance on the timeline and highlighted efforts to link budget planning with the district's strategic initiatives. Committee members emphasized that some dates would be developed with principals and shared through the district's Friday flash and other channels.

A motion to accept the calendar, with the understanding that TBD dates will be filled in administratively as they become known, was moved and seconded; the vote was unanimous. The committee also noted that school improvement council meetings will be scheduled at several buildings (dates listed in the calendar) to provide broader community input into budget priorities.

Next steps include finalizing the town meeting schedule when the town sets its calendar and circulating the finalized meeting dates to parents and staff; the district also plans to publish guidance on how and when families can provide feedback during the budget process.