School Committee Approves 4.57% Budget Increase for Fiscal Year 2026

Budget rises to $60.3 million, includes additional funding from advisory board and free cash items

MARSHFIELD - April 1 - The Marshfield School Committee has approved a 4.57% budget increase for fiscal year 2026, bringing the total to $60,336,636. The increase falls just short of the district's requested level of service funding, which was 4.76%.

Assistant Superintendent Tom Miller presented the budget update during Tuesday's School Committee meeting, noting that the original 3% increase of $1.73 million was supplemented by an additional $271,000 from advisory board recommendations and $631,000 in free cash items.

"We're in a decent spot right now," Miller told the committee. "The delta right now is about $112,000."

The budget discussion included consideration of potential reductions from a "tier one" list totaling $350,000. Miller recommended holding firm on these items due to ongoing fluctuations in the budget.

"With everything still in flux, recommendation right now is to hold firm on that because there's still going to be some moving pieces moving forward," Miller said.

Committee member Richard Greer questioned whether the budget projections account for upcoming contract negotiations, to which Miller confirmed he is "carrying 3%" for outstanding contracts, though the final figure remains subject to negotiation.

Chair Sean Costello highlighted a productive recent meeting with town officials that helped secure necessary funding for this year.

"I would like to thank them for their willingness to hear us out, to communicate with us on these issues, to help us meet the number that we need to meet for this year of adult services," Costello said.

He added that town officials committed to working with the school committee to address communication issues and adhere to a "one town, one community, one budget" philosophy.

Miller indicated that while the district won't have final figures for the current fiscal year until mid-July, initial numbers should be available by the end of June. This timing will help inform decisions about the FY26 budget.

"We're definitely going to start fiscal 27 much earlier, and work with the town on that well in advance," Miller said.

The committee also discussed the potential elimination of school supplies from the budget, which would save $63,000 but shift the cost to parents. Costello noted that during previous discussions, they determined that "for parents in financial need, there's opportunities to get those things donated."

Superintendent Patrick Sullivan reminded the committee that the district had initially requested a 5.37% increase that they felt "would give us optimal efficiency in what we do."

In other business, the committee:

- Recognized student-athletes from various winter sports teams during the "Spotlight on Excellence" portion of the meeting. Athletic Director Billy Battis introduced students from hockey, basketball, swimming, track and field, wrestling, and gymnastics teams, highlighting their accomplishments both in sports and academics.

- Approved a $2 per hour increase for private music lessons, bringing the rate to $26 per half hour. The rate had not increased in three years.

- Heard a presentation on the Student Opportunity Act, which focuses on ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruction through evidence-based programs. The district's plan centers on inclusive curriculum adoption, implementation support, comprehensive literacy, and early literacy screening.

- Received Superintendent Sullivan's mid-cycle review, which detailed progress on his four goals: creating an entry plan, increasing student voice, promoting belonging and wellness, and improving management and operations.

Sullivan highlighted several successful initiatives, including the recent Mosaic event celebrating Marshfield's cultural diversity. The event featured cultural presentations from Brazil, Ireland, Ghana, India, China, Ecuador, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.

"It's important to celebrate our cultures. It's important that we have a group like the MDF that's supporting us," Sullivan said. "And it just shows what an amazing community we have."

Committee members praised the event, with Costello noting it was "so important for these groups to come in and feel welcomed into the Marshfield community."

Sullivan also discussed the district's focus on increasing student voice through initiatives like the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council and the Breaking Boundaries group.

"What it does is it creates agency in them, and that's something that will help them in life as they go through and try to make a difference in whatever they choose to do," Sullivan said.

The committee will hold its next meeting on April 17, which will include the annual hearing on school choice.

Full meeting available via Marshfield Community Media.