FiPAC approves $250,000 cut to Board of Education budget, moves amended proposal to public hearing

The Town of Columbia Financial Planning and Allocation Commission voted 4–3 on June 10 to cut $250,000 from the Board of Education budget and advance the amended FY2026–27 budget to a public hearing scheduled for June 17.

Vice Chair Kelley Peck moved to reduce the BOE budget by $250,000; the motion was seconded by Chair Judith Jordan and carried with four votes in favor and three opposed. Commissioner Marie Ramm offered an amendment to split the $250,000 reduction evenly among the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education and the capital budget; that amendment was seconded by Stephen Cooke but was not accepted by Kelley Peck and therefore did not proceed to a vote. The commission directed staff to present the amended proposal at the FiPAC public hearing on June 17 and then to the Town Budget Meeting, with a possible referendum planned for June 30 if the Board of Selectmen schedules it.

Commissioners debated where to make cuts after the June 9 referendum failed. Art Rowbotham suggested reductions in the $250,000–$292,000 range to reach roughly a 5% overall increase, and some commissioners urged prioritizing discretionary items rather than further cuts to public safety or school core services. Town Administrator Mark Walter and Finance Director Beverly Ciurylo participated in the discussion; Ciurylo noted the exit-poll tallies were available but the written comments had not yet been compiled. The commission agreed on next steps and a timeline to gather more public input before finalizing additional adjustments.