KINGSTON - December 1 - The Kingston School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY27 budget of $16.3 million for the elementary schools on Monday evening, representing a 4.82% increase over the current year. The budget, presented as a level services proposal, maintains existing programs and staff but could face significant cuts if the town opts for more restrictive funding approaches.
The Full Story
Superintendent Jill Proulx and Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Hickey presented three budget scenarios to the committee: level services at a 4.82% increase, a votable 2.5% increase, and a level funded option. The administration cautioned that the figures are built on estimates and assumptions that could change before final approval.
The projected level service budget for the two Kingston Schools for FY27 totals $17,188,080 before offsets. After accounting for payments from other elementary schools for the curriculum coordinator, Silver Lake Integrated Preschool room rental, and estimated state reimbursements for circuit breaker (70%), transportation (50%), and IDEA grants, the budget comes to $16,349,160.
Superintendent Proulx emphasized the preliminary nature of the numbers: “The most important budget basic that I want you to try to remember is that the numbers contained in this presentation are built upon assumptions and estimates, and these numbers are subject to change. So this is a snapshot in time and it’s built upon a number of estimates that can change.”
The level services budget maintains current class sizes and staffing levels at both Kingston Elementary School and Kingston Intermediate School. At KES, projected class sizes would range from 20-22 students per classroom across all grade levels. At KIS, grades three through five would see class sizes of 22-23 students, while sixth grade would have seven teachers for an estimated 174 students.
However, if the town pursues a 2.5% increase instead of level services, the schools would need to cut $362,436 from the budget. This would result in the elimination of two full-time general education teachers at KES, one full-time teacher at KIS, a paraprofessional position, and $83,000 in curriculum spending, along with $14,000 in technology supplies and equipment. Class sizes would increase to 23-24 students in grades one and two at KES, and grade four at KIS would see teacher reductions, though the exact class size impact was still being calculated at the meeting.
The most severe scenario—level funding—would require cuts of $752,356 from the level service budget. This would necessitate an additional 4.7 full-time equivalent teaching positions eliminated beyond the cuts already outlined in the 2.5% scenario. Class sizes would balloon to as high as 25-26 students in sixth grade, with most elementary grades seeing 21-24 students per class.
School Committee member Sheila Vaughn stated her opposition to level funding: “I think level funding in the school system is never correct. Level service, I understand, but level funding, and I’ve said this since day one so people can say that is all they want and I get it with the town, but you can’t have level funding ever with the schools.”
The budget presentation came earlier than usual for Kingston, typically presented in mid-January. School Committee Chair Megan Cannon noted this was in response to town requests for earlier budget information, though still not meeting a November timeline specified in a town bylaw.
The committee did not vote on any budget proposal during the meeting, choosing instead to wait for more concrete figures from the state, which typically arrive at the end of January. Committee member Jeanne Coleman commented on the timing: “I think for a first draft this is better news than I think expected and I think it’ll give the town something to work with as they work with the other departments.”
Both building principals presented capital improvement needs for their schools. KES Principal Kerri Whipple identified the most urgent need as a $55,000 elevator hydro-enhanced upgrade required within the next two to three years for the elevator to pass inspection. The school also needs a new chiller for air conditioning in half the building, particularly important as the school hosts Extended School Year programs. A new Kubota for landscaping, masonry wall repointing, and a larger capacity generator were also on the capital plan.
KIS Principal Andrew Materna noted his school is waiting for bids on previously approved projects before moving forward with new capital requests. The school needs miscellaneous HVAC repairs, air duct cleaning to establish a regular maintenance cycle, and a chiller pending results of a building evaluation. Looking further ahead, the school will need generator replacement, continued roof work, and parking lot repairs. The committee noted that the KIS roof, which has required ongoing patches, may need complete replacement around FY29-30.
Materna also requested an additional 1.0 FTE grounds and custodial staff member in the level services budget, citing the significant time required to maintain athletic fields used extensively by town and community organizations. “The field maintenance is something that’s not necessarily a priority in terms of the school academically or even the lessons. But the town relies on us for the field maintenance and upkeep,” Materna explained.
The budget presentation also revealed that enrollment at KIS has declined significantly from the previous year, while KES numbers have stabilized. Current kindergarten enrollment estimates are higher than initially projected, with 161 students built into the budget compared to earlier concerns about lower numbers. This enrollment data directly impacts staffing decisions and class size projections.
In other business, the committee approved a contract in executive session for the assistant principal position. Committee member Jeannie Coleman was recognized for receiving an outstanding member award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees for her nine years of service on the Kingston School Committee.
The committee also addressed ongoing challenges with the district’s end-of-year financial reporting to the state. Cannon informed members that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has warned that late submission of the report could result in withholding second quarter circuit breaker payments and potentially Chapter 70 funds. Hickey is working to complete the reports as quickly as possible.
The PTO provided an update on successful fall activities. PTO President Barbara Gildea reported raising over $21,000 through the annual “fund the fund” check writing campaign, with all proceeds supporting field trips and classroom needs. The organization distributed $7,000 in teacher mini grants and provided approximately $70,000 in direct classroom supplies and reimbursements. The winter holiday fest is scheduled for December 6 at KIS, expanding from a K-5 to K-6 event, and the holiday gift wrapping fundraiser at Kingston Mall runs December 12-24.
Building principals reported on recent educational activities. Whipple highlighted American Education Week events in November, including the third grade Invention Convention, fourth grade Canada Day, fifth grade Living Museum, and sixth grade STEM challenges. The school successfully concluded a food drive led by a fifth grade student before the Thanksgiving break.
The district continues implementing new HMH curriculum for mathematics, with coaches scheduled to conduct pilot lessons on December 9 and 10. Teachers will observe these demonstration lessons as part of the rollout. The outdoor classroom project at KES now has an officially named weather station—”Walter”—selected by student vote. Mabel, the new therapy dog from Kingston Police Department, has begun making visits to the elementary school.
The committee voted to waive second reading and approve several policies related to background checks, vandalism procedures, health screenings, harassment prevention, and public records requests. However, members declined to adopt policy JJE regarding student fundraising, expressing concern that the policy as written would be too restrictive on parent organizations like the PTO and Kingston For Education. Coleman explained: “My opinion is as it’s written, it would prevent friendly classroom participation contests, things that our volunteers spend hours in the hallway decorating the billboards so that the kids can come in and see.”
Why It Matters
The budget decisions facing the Kingston School Committee will directly impact class sizes and educational resources for approximately 1,500 elementary students in the district. A level services budget would maintain current programs and keep class sizes at manageable levels of 20-23 students per classroom. However, more restrictive funding options could increase class sizes to as many as 26 students per class and eliminate teaching positions, curriculum funding, and technology resources. Parents and residents will need to weigh these educational impacts against tax considerations as budget discussions continue through the spring. The committee’s early presentation of budget options, while based on estimates, provides the town more time to coordinate funding across all municipal departments before the annual town meeting.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Adjourn to executive session to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel (assistant principal) and to approve executive minutes from June 9, 2025 and September 15, 2025, then return to open session. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (5-0). (Timestamp: 00:11:07)
Motion: Approve the assistant principal contract as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (5-0). (Timestamp: 00:49:54)
Motion: Approve the consent agenda. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous voice vote. (Timestamp: 00:54:22)
Motion: Waive second reading and approve policies ADDA, ECAB, EFBA, GBEBC, KBG, and KI. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous voice vote. (Timestamp: 01:31:40)
Motion: Waive first reading and approve policy KBE regarding 501c3 status. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous voice vote. (Timestamp: 01:32:26)
Motion: Do not move forward with policy JJE regarding student fundraising. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous voice vote. (Timestamp: 01:36:49)
Motion: Adjourn the meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (5-0). (Timestamp: 01:37:24)
Public Comment
Amy Kane, a teacher at Kingston Intermediate School, provided an update on American Education Week activities held in November, including the third grade Invention Convention, fourth grade Canada Day celebration, fifth grade Living Museum and decimal diner, and sixth grade STEM marble run challenges. The school also held a successful food drive led by a fifth grade student and the school adjustment counselor before the Thanksgiving break.
Barbara Gildea, PTO President, reported that the annual “fund the fund” check writing campaign raised over $21,000. The organization distributed $7,000 in teacher mini grants and approximately $70,000 in direct classroom supplies. The winter holiday fest will be held December 6 at KIS, expanded to include K-6 students, and the holiday gift wrapping fundraiser at Kingston Mall runs December 12-24. Volunteers are needed for the gift wrapping, and high school students can earn volunteer hours.
What’s Next
The School Committee will await final state funding figures expected at the end of January before voting on a final budget proposal. The regionalization study committee will meet January 21 to continue work on the K-12 regionalization feasibility study. The administration review subcommittee will schedule a meeting following Halifax’s reorganization, tentatively planned for December 7. HMH curriculum coaches will conduct demonstration math lessons at Kingston Elementary School on December 9 and at Kingston Intermediate School on December 10. The winter holiday fest is scheduled for December 6 at KIS from 9 a.m. to noon, and the KIS band and chorus concert will be held December 17 from 6-7 p.m. The district goes on winter break following early release on December 23. Report cards will be distributed December 8.