DUXBURY - March 5, 2026 - Following the defeat of a much larger funding request last year, Duxbury officials returned to the Duxbury Free Library to present a scaled-back $1.89 million operational override. Selectboard member Fernando Guitart and Superintendent Dr. Danielle Klingaman detailed a proposal they characterized as a “no-extras” budget, with 74% of the requested funds dedicated directly to public safety and classroom restorations. The forum also highlighted a critical $1.75 million feasibility study for the aging Alden Elementary School, warning that the town’s window for state reimbursement is rapidly closing.
The Full Story
The forum served as a deep dive into Article 5B (the override) and Article 12 (the Alden School study) ahead of the March 14 Town Meeting. Selectboard member Fernando Guitart opened the presentation by acknowledging the “devastating” impact of last year’s failed override, which led to the elimination of 24 school positions. He noted that while the 2025 request sought $5.8 million, the current $1.89 million ask is 67% lower and focuses strictly on essential personnel.
“We’ve been able to live within the 2.5% [limit] since 1989, but events have overtaken us. Costs have risen more than the limit... we have no choice.” — Fernando Guitart [05:12]
Public Safety and Town Operations Guitart explained that the town is struggling against a “fiscal cliff” where costs for utilities, insurance, and materials have risen far beyond the 2.5% tax limit. The override would fund two new patrol officers and two firefighters/paramedics. Guitart highlighted that the fire department’s average response time is currently five minutes, but adding these positions would help reach the “gold standard” of four minutes and significantly reduce the department’s reliance on expensive overtime and “call-backs” of off-duty staff. Other town positions include an assistant director for beach operations and restored DPW and administrative staff.
The Classroom Crisis Superintendent Dr. Danielle Klingaman reported that Duxbury schools are “stretching the limit” of manageable class sizes. Following the 2025 cuts, some elementary classrooms reached 24 or 25 students, making individualized attention difficult. The override would restore two elementary teachers to maintain 10 sections per grade at Chandler and Alden, and fund a director of instructional technology to manage cybersecurity and curriculum software. Crucially, the budget includes the implementation of universal free full-day kindergarten, eliminating the current $3,000 annual fee charged to families.
Alden School: A Building “In Reactive Mode” The second half of the forum focused on the 80-year-old Alden Elementary School. Klingaman described a recent incident during a blizzard where the building lost heat for four days, causing heating coils to freeze and burst once power was restored. “We are more in a reactive mode... as opposed to being able to proactively plan,” Klingaman said, noting that the building currently relies on buckets to catch leaks during windy rainstorms.
The $1.75 million feasibility study (Article 12) is the first step toward a potential renovation or rebuild. The town is currently in the “MSBA pipeline,” making it eligible for a 35% reimbursement from the state—an opportunity that Klingaman warned would disappear if voters do not approve the study this month.
Why It Matters
For the average Duxbury homeowner with a property valued at $1.3 million, the override would cost approximately $325 per year. The Alden School study adds a temporary $65 annual cost for three years. Officials argue these investments are necessary to stop the cycle of “emergency repairs” and staffing glitches that have begun to impact student schedules and public safety response times.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Financial Figures
Override Amount: $1,890,000 (Article 5B)
Public Safety/Schools Allocation: 74% of the override total
Average Tax Impact: $325/year for the override; $65/year (for 3 years) for the school study
State Reimbursement: ~35% of the Alden Study cost is eligible via the MSBA
Proposed Restorations
Police: 2 Patrol Officers
Fire: 2 Firefighter/Paramedics
Schools: 2 Elementary Teachers, 1 Director of Instructional Tech, Free Full-Day Kindergarten
Operations: Beach Operations Assistant Director, DPW staff, HR and Admin support
Public Comment Themes
Technology Transition: One resident questioned why the district moved from MacBooks to Chromebooks; Dr. Klingaman cited cost-effectiveness and compatibility with online MCAS testing.
Building “Mashing”: Concerns were raised about “mashing” parts together to fix 80-year-old boilers at Alden; facilities staff confirmed they are currently managing eight boilers in various states of disrepair.
What’s Next
Annual Town Meeting: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 9:00 AM (Duxbury PAC)
Early Voting Begins: March 16, 2026, at Town Hall
Town Election Day: Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Steel Athletic Center)
Source Video: Duxbury Free Library / Duxbury Cable Access