Middleton School Committee | 10/2/2025

Описание: Middleton School Committee’s December 2 meeting tackled a range of important school district updates and financial planning for FY27. The meeting began with the approval of previous minutes and brief committee reports, followed by discussion of scheduling a January meeting with a state senator. An annual collaborative report from Crest was presented, highlighting program goals and fiscal health. School leadership shared highlights from recent student activities, assemblies, and community involvement, including a generous $500 donation for science education.

A major focus of the meeting was the presentation of the proposed Middleton Elementary School FY27 budget. The school committee faces a significant financial challenge: rising costs—especially from health insurance—mean that even maintaining current service levels will create a shortfall of more than $850,000 if the budget increases by only 2.5%. The committee discussed possible options: making difficult reductions, advocating for additional funding or a budget override, and communicating transparently with the public throughout the process. New enrollment projections and staffing needs were also reviewed, with the school district aiming to balance fiscal responsibility while supporting the needs of students and staff. Community advocacy for improved state funding was encouraged, as ongoing cost pressures affect not just Middleton, but school districts statewide.

00:00 – Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
00:30 – Public Comment
00:43 – Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
01:39 – External Committee Reports
02:03 – Senator’s Absence & January Meeting Planning
03:16 – Annual Crest Collaborative Report
04:48 – School Partnerships & Student Programs
05:49 – School Safety Update
07:28 – Transportation, Bus Counts, Upcoming Budget Presentation
08:28 – Principal’s Reports: Recent Events
10:43 – Field Trips, Assemblies, and School News
12:46 – New Business: Gifts and Grants
13:52 – FY27 Budget Overview and Presentation
16:01 – Budget Process, Service Guidelines, and Insurance
24:00 – Budget Shortfalls, Scenarios, and Adjustment Planning
31:09 – Budget Documentation Overview
34:16 – School District Profile & Committee Responsibilities
36:11 – Budget Timeline, Applied Income, and Funding Sources
41:00 – Budget Revenue & Expense Categories Explained
54:07 – Health Insurance Costs & Impact
59:12 – Budget Distribution and Category Breakdown
1:03:08 – Staffing, Enrollment, and Program Impact
1:13:04 – Department Perspectives and Budget Challenges
1:19:43 – Next Steps: Deliberation Timeline and Advocacy
1:31:03 – Director/Principal Comments & Concluding Remarks
1:35:47 – Community Involvement and Cost Containment
1:39:42 – Meeting Wrap-up, Future Dates, Adjournment