Plymouth School Committee Approves $127 Million Budget for FY26
Reduction of $521,470 includes pension assessment adjustments
PLYMOUTH - December 16 - The Plymouth School Committee has approved a $127,229,274 budget for fiscal year 2026, representing a reduction of $521,470 from the previous request. The budget, approved at the December 16 meeting, includes adjustments due to recalculated pension assessments.
Dr. Adam Blaisdell, School Business Administrator, presenting the budget update, explained the recent changes. "After we had our last school committee meeting, our budget workshop, the town received some information from the county retirement. And at that time, the assessment, they recalculated the pension assessment," he said.
This recalculation resulted in an increase of $94,650 available to the school department. The original reduction for FY26 was just over $616,000, but with this increase, the new reduction stands at $521,470.
The committee voted 6-1 to approve the proposed budget, with Luis Pizano the lone dissenter. Dr. James Sorensen, who initially expressed concerns, stated, "I will vote in favor of it based on this dialogue."
In addition to the budget approval, the committee discussed significant changes to graduation requirements following a recent ballot initiative. Dr. Chris Campbell, the Superintendent, explained that MCAS is no longer required to earn a competency determination for graduation.
"MCAS is no longer required to earn a competency determination, so instead students must demonstrate mastery through coursework," Campbell said. This change applies to the class of 2025 and beyond who have not yet earned a competency determination.
The district must now develop its own local requirements for earning a competency determination. This process will need to be approved by the school committee and shared with stakeholders.
Campbell emphasized that students are still required to take MCAS, and the district is still held accountable for their performance. "They just don't need to pass it to graduate," he clarified.
The Superintendent plans to bring the current graduation requirements to the next meeting for public discussion. This will include details on course requirements and grading structures.
Dr. Sorensen requested specific information on grading structures, asking, "What percentage counts towards the final grade?" Campbell assured that this information would be provided for the next meeting.
In other news, Campbell announced that the Massachusetts School Building Authority has officially voted in favor of Plymouth's statement of interest application, placing Hedge Elementary into the eligibility period.
"We have 270 days to manage and fund a capital project," Campbell explained. This includes forming a School Building Committee and submitting an educational profile questionnaire.
The feasibility study will include the potential consolidation of Hedge and Cold Spring, as well as potential preschool space for the North Plymouth community.
The meeting also addressed the upcoming appointment of a new school committee member to replace Chair Michelle Badger, who is resigning to serve as State Representative for the First Plymouth District.
Badger, in her final meeting, expressed gratitude for her 13 years of service. "I had no idea how much I would learn, how many incredible people I would meet, and just how much I would love serving and giving back to our community," she said.
The committee will review applications for Badger's seat at the next meeting, scheduled for January. Candidates will have the opportunity to present themselves to both the School Committee and the Select Board.