Harvard district budget approved; election results and Pond Road field maintenance flagged for follow‑up

The Harvard School Committee meeting on May 18 included a Superintendent’s report noting community approval of the district’s full budget request, which included an override of approximately $75,000 and a 1.46% increase totaling $242,609 over last year.

Dr. Linda Dwight said the approved budget followed months of planning and required difficult decisions, including the loss of several respected educators. She also reported election results: committee chair Abigail (Abby) Besse will continue on the School Committee and Elizabeth Nees was elected to replace Amy Morton when Morton's term ends June 30.

The superintendent recounted successful student events including prom and an overnight Celebration, and previewed the Technology Fair for 11th graders. She also reported on community concerns raised at the DEAC meeting about a perceived contention between Harvard and Devens families.

On facilities, Dr. Dwight described a volunteer‑led clean‑up at Pond Road field organized by the HAA Youth Baseball Association and noted that items removed had no value and were disposed of by the Department of Public Works. She said additional contracted work requests should be routed to the Recreation Director and district leadership, and the committee agreed to collaborate on finalizing an unfinished 2021–22 memorandum of understanding (MOU) about field maintenance responsibilities and funding.

Next steps: the committee expects an HVAC cost estimate for the next meeting and will follow up on the Pond Road MOU and related funding responsibilities.