School Committee Approves Level Service Budget Amid Financial Challenges
Override likely needed to fully fund $8.3 million education budget for FY2026
HALIFAX - February 10 - The Halifax School Committee has approved a level service budget of $8,379,816 for fiscal year 2026, despite facing significant financial challenges. The decision came during a meeting on Feb. 10, where committee members grappled with potential cuts and the need for a town override to fully fund education services.
The town had requested that the School Committee limit the budget increase to 1.75% over the current fiscal year for Halifax, and a 3.5% increase for the combined Halifax and Silver Lake education budgets. The approved level services budget is a 9.3% increase, however due to the use of one time funds in FY25 the impact to the town is a 23% increase.
Committee member Jessica Page, who made the motion to approve the level service budget, emphasized the importance of maintaining educational quality. "I think we go back to the town and ask for an override," she said. "Then they can say no, but I would like to also meet with the Board of Selectmen and talk about it."
The committee's decision comes as Halifax faces mounting pressure to reduce spending. Town officials had initially requested a 10% budget reduction from the school district.
Sarah Hickey, the District's Director of Finance & Operations, presented tiered cut options totaling over $900,000. These included eliminating teaching positions, specialist roles, and support staff.
"If we were going to cut three teachers, then that leaves us $1,095,000 apart from where the town would like us to be," Hickey explained.
Committee members expressed concern about the impact of such cuts on education quality and class sizes. Proposed reductions could increase some class sizes to 30 or more students.
Kate Berry, a committee member and educator, voiced strong opposition to the cuts. "As an educator, I stand behind our children in that they need the best services they can get," she said. "I am highly concerned about [cutting] math specialists and reading specialists because now we're removing tier 2 support for our students, which they absolutely need."
The committee's decision to approve a level service budget sets the stage for a potential override vote at the Town Meeting and Town Election in May. If approved by the Board of Selectmen, residents would vote on whether to increase taxes to fully fund the school budget.
Selectman Thomas Pratt cautioned about the likelihood of an override passing. "If I had any confidence in an override passing, I would put it on the budget," he said. "I don't have any confidence in that passing based on any number of things we've seen recently."
Committee members acknowledged the challenge of balancing educational needs with fiscal constraints. "We have a tough job," said Committee Chair Lauren Laws. "It's not a precise thing."
In addition to approving the budget, the committee voted to explore creating revolving accounts for potential bus and kindergarten fees. These accounts could provide additional revenue if the override fails to pass.
The approved budget now moves to the Board of Selectmen for consideration. If an override is not approved by the town, the school district may face significant cuts to staff and programs for the 2025-2026 school year.
As the budget process continues, committee members urged community engagement. "We're all going to have to do our part," Berry said. "We're going to have to go grassroots, we're going to have to talk to everyone we know and spread the word far and wide that we are going to support this as a town."
The next Halifax School Committee meeting is scheduled for March 10.