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BOF rejects motion to add BOE tuition payments to town budget; boards will continue talks after budget season
Summary
At its May 19 meeting the Sharon Board of Finance defeated a motion to add a $32,250 tuition line to the town budget for paying students at Sharon Center School, and BOE and BOF agreed to continue discussions after the budget season; the boards also noted $12,000 in additional ECS funding and a projected $135,000 surplus for FY25/26.
The Sharon Board of Finance declined May 19 to place a $32,250 line item in the town budget to cover tuition-paying students at the Sharon Center School.
Ms. Clare moved to add a town budget line equal to the tuition payments the BOE expects to collect (approximately $32,250 for an anticipated 11 paying students in FY27); Mrs. Robertson seconded. The motion failed on a 1–5 vote, with Ms. Clare in favor and Chairman Bartram, Ms. Flaton, Mrs. Pastre, Mr. Hecht and Mrs. Robertson opposed.
Board and BOE members described the tuition-paying program as an annual practice in which the BOE approves accepting paying students and sets the tuition amount. The BOE reported it anticipates 11 paying students for FY27 (about $32,250) but said it has no long-term plan for the program. The Superintendent said she and Region 1 Business Manager Mr. Herrick will work on a regional assessment and an organizational study with the ABC Committee to examine efficiencies.
Meeting participants also noted additional education funding: the State approved an extra $12,000 in ECS funding that should be reflected in the budget and would reduce the net amount to be raised. Dr. O’Reilly reported an anticipated FY25/26 surplus of $135,000, of which 2% may be placed in a non-lapsing fund.
Despite discussion, the BOF did not take formal action on either the Board of Selectmen or BOE proposed budgets at this meeting; members agreed to continue work after budget season.
