Harvard School Committee approves FY27 budget request, program of studies, staffing position and policies

The Harvard School Committee unanimously approved a set of budget, curriculum and personnel actions at its March 23 meeting, sending a $16,836,642 FY27 budget request to the town and adopting several administrative items.

The committee voted 5–0 to send the $16,836,642 request to town officials; the total includes a proposed $72,568 override and reductions such as a $50,000 cut to the ATS salary line and an anticipated reduction in Title I funding. Superintendent Dr. Linda Dwight told the committee that revised eligibility thresholds mean the district expects about $35,000 less in Title I aid, an amount that has been incorporated into the override proposal. Committee members discussed the consequence if the override fails and asked staff to refine personnel-related contingency plans.

Also approved 5–0 was the 2026–27 Bromfield Program of Studies. Kim Murphy, Bromfield High School principal, described the most significant curricular change as a new AP English Language course offered at the junior level so students may take an AP English class before senior year. Committee members pressed for clarity on teacher recommendations and workload expectations; Murphy said counselors will work with students to balance schedules and that departments are discussing consistent terminology for recommendations.

The committee authorized a new full-time reading specialist position, to begin August 31 and placed on the teacher pay scale under the Harvard Education Association. Assistant Superintendent Dana Labb said the role will focus on Tier 1 instructional support, administering diagnostic assessments, monitoring progress, and providing targeted instruction; the position is intended to consolidate duties previously handled by several part-time tutors and to complement the work of the district literacy specialist, Ms. Cusick. The committee approved the job description by roll call vote, 5–0.

In policy business, the committee approved three policies — JKAA (Restraint of Students), JICH (Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Use by Students Prohibited) and JL (Student Welfare) — after a review by the policy subcommittee to ensure alignment with Massachusetts Association of School Committees guidance. Members asked about training references and consistency; staff said policy-tracker notes and side-by-side documents reflect the subcommittee’s work. The motion to approve the three policies passed, 5–0.

A small grant of $736 from the Harvard Schools Trust to support the preschool field trip to Davis Farm was accepted by the committee. All motions recorded in the meeting minutes carried by roll call votes recorded as 5–0.

The committee set future meeting dates and later voted to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy with the Harvard Education Association under Massachusetts General Laws.