Hanover School Committee Grapples with Budget Shortfall
Proposed $3.5 Million Override Budget Increase Falls Short of Full Program Restoration
HANOVER - January 15 - The Hanover School Committee is facing difficult decisions as it negotiates a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that falls short of fully restoring programs and positions cut in previous years. At a recent meeting, committee members expressed frustration with a proposed $3.5 million budget increase that fails to meet the $4.3 million needed for full restoration.
Committee member Libby Corbo voiced strong opposition to the $3.5 million figure discussed at their joint meeting with the Select Board, which she said "seems like it was quite arbitrary and backed into."
"I hope some consideration is going to be given to the full restoration amount," Corbo said. "I am confused as to why budgets were not level set, why when we look at the override amount, the first priority wasn't to level set budgets and restore positions."
The $3.5 million increase was proposed by town leadership as part of a larger override budget. School officials say this amount would leave key positions unfilled, including middle school art teachers, wellness instructors, and department heads.
"For us to be losing things like middle school art or continued losses in wellness, physical education, drama - our department heads that establish standards of excellence and help ensure those are transmitted equally through our schools," Corbo said. "It's very disheartening."
Committee members debated strategies for funding full-day kindergarten, including using special education reserve funds. This approach raised concerns about depleting reserves needed for other purposes.
"We need that fund to be big because it's not just about one out-of-district placement or one or two students that move in and move out," said committee member Ryan Hall. "It's about all the things."
Superintendent Matthew Ferron assured the committee that any special education reserve funds used would still go toward special education services, freeing up money elsewhere for kindergarten staffing.
"We are still trying to figure out how to do this," Ferron said. "One thing everybody agrees on is we need to find a way to fund universal full-day kindergarten, take it off of the families."
Ferron noted that investing in full-day kindergarten now would lead to increased state aid in future years, potentially allowing the district to replenish reserve funds.
Committee Chair Peter Miraglia said based on discussions with the Select Board, he does not expect much movement on the overall budget figure. However, he said there may be room to reallocate funds within the proposed amount.
"I can't say I'm happy or sad about it," Miraglia said. "That's kind of what I heard."
Some committee members emphasized the need to work collaboratively with town leadership, while others expressed frustration with the process.
"I think we've done what we could do in our joint meeting," said committee member Rachel Hughes. "You know, they know what we were asking for. And I think what you're seeing now is the compromise."
In other business, the committee:
• Recognized the Hanover High School cheerleading squad for winning the Division III state championship.
• Approved two new clubs at Hanover High School - a chapter of Health Occupation Students of America and Morgan's Message, focused on student-athlete mental health.
• Fourteen Hanover High School students participated in the Southeastern District music festival, with three students receiving all-state recommendations.
The committee plans to continue budget discussions at upcoming meetings before taking a final vote on Jan. 28. Members encouraged residents to share feedback with town leaders about school funding priorities.