Rockland School Committee Approves 5.36% Budget Increase for FY26
Additional $300,000 from town helps district avoid deep cuts while maintaining educational services
ROCKLAND - March 24 - The Rockland School Committee unanimously approves a $37,335,069 operating budget for fiscal year 2026, representing a 5.36% increase over the current year. The budget reflects collaborative efforts between school officials and town leadership to address funding challenges without compromising educational services.
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron presents the budget as a balanced approach that required cooperation from multiple stakeholders.
"I'd like to begin by saying thank you to the town once again for their cooperation. Thank you to the teachers union for their cooperation. Thank you to the school committee for your support," Cron says during his presentation.
The approved budget includes an additional $300,000 from the town and $200,000 in adjustments from the school side. These funds help the district avoid what Cron describes as cuts that would be "too deep" to maintain current educational standards.
"We were asking for a little bit of extra money this year. We looked at what was presented to us and what we needed to make ends meet, and we did as much whittling as we could," Cron explains. "We came back to the need for another $500,000 to really keep from cutting what we felt was too deep."
The town's contribution comes after school officials presented their case to the Board of Selectmen, who found a way to provide the additional $300,000. The remaining $200,000 comes from the school district making more aggressive estimates and adjusting some budget projections.
The budget reflects ongoing financial challenges facing the district, particularly related to state funding.
"We've had two years of very challenging funding from the state, and we are a town that really depends on state funding. So when the state is challenged, we are challenged," Cron notes.
Despite these challenges, the budget represents progress toward financial sustainability. Cron points out that the district is becoming "less dependent on revolving funds, less dependent on town meeting appropriations," though not as quickly as officials had hoped.
Some expenses are decreasing, including costs for homeless and foster transportation, unemployment, and legal services. Out-of-district costs, which saw a 28% increase last year, are projected to rise by 13% in the coming fiscal year.
"We're very happy to see that leveling off. It makes it a little easier to deal with," Cron says.
The committee also approves a capital budget of $490,000, which is $50,000 less than initially requested. The reduction comes from postponing the purchase of a sidewalk machine and sander for one year, at the town's request.
Committee Chair Jill Maroney expresses appreciation for the town's support of education.
"What I love is that it is, I don't know how many times we said it at Finance Committee and at the Selectmen, that these are our kids," Maroney says. "They're all our kids, and that they understand that. They also want what's best for all of our kids."
Committee member Melissa Mauro-Small echoes this sentiment.
"A big thank you to everyone who's working so hard to help us to be able to provide the educational needs for all the kids in Rockland," she says. "I know it's a heavy lift by a lot of people, people in this room, people outside of this room, across the street in Town Hall, and so just a big note of gratitude for all that work."
In other business, the committee approves a contract for school secretaries that includes a 2.5% salary increase over the next three years and adds Juneteenth as a recognized holiday.
"We're very happy that we settled with secretaries at 2.5%," Cron says. "It's an opportunity, though, to say thank you to the secretaries for what they do every day. Any parent who's ever walked into a school, they're the first face you see."
The committee also sets June 9, 2025, as the last day for the Early Childhood Center at Esten and approves the 2025 summer programming for Phelps Elementary School, which will run from June 23 to August 15.
Additionally, the committee approves a fundraiser for Rockland High School Student Council and acknowledges recent student achievements, including seniors Nicole Cedrone and Colin McKenna being recognized at the Lizzie and Reuben Grossman Awards Luncheon, and Emily Dunham and Colin McKenna receiving recognition at the South Shore League Scholar-Athlete Award Banquet.
The meeting concludes with announcements about upcoming events, including a visit from the Harlem Wizards on Wednesday and Global Play Day at Phelps Elementary School on Thursday, March 27.