WEYMOUTH - January 8, 2026 - Facing declining town revenues and rising costs, the Weymouth School Committee confronted a grim fiscal reality on Thursday night. Superintendent Melanie Curtin announced that the district is preparing a budget with only a 1% increase—a figure well below what is needed to maintain current services—warning that the conversation will soon shift from “numbers” to “names” as potential staff reductions loom.
The Full Story
The first meeting of 2026 was marked by a sobering financial outlook. While the committee welcomed three new members—Cindy Lyons, Kelly McClean, and Ashley Dickerman—celebrations were quickly overshadowed by the impending budget season.
Superintendent Curtin reported that the executive team has begun budget hearings with principals and department leaders. The district is facing a “perfect storm” of economic pressures: town revenues are down, while insurance rates and utility costs continue to rise.
Curtin was blunt about the implications of the proposed 1% budget increase.
“It is not a percentage that would get us to what we consider level service, which is where we are employing [all the] people... who work for Weymouth Public Schools right now,” Curtin said. She warned the committee and the public that the process is about to become personal.
“In the next few weeks, it will get much more difficult because we’re going to have to talk about names. And that is not something that we take lightly... We don’t take it lightly that we have people’s livelihoods and careers in our hands.” — Superintendent Melanie Curtin
Strategic Visioning in Hard Times To navigate the turbulence, the district is forming a small planning team to define a “roadmap” for the school system. Unlike traditional strategic planning, which focuses on expansion and blue-sky goals, this group will focus on “stabilizing Weymouth schools” and protecting core values during financial retractions. The group will include administration, staff, parent representatives from various levels, and School Committee leadership.
Public Alarm Over Cuts During public comment, residents expressed anxiety over where the axe might fall. Allegra Marrone, a parent and educator residing on Carroll Street, pleaded with the committee to protect “student-facing positions,” specifically in the arts, science, and physical education departments.
“I personally do not feel like there’s any way... that we’re not going to have reductions in staff,” Marrone said. “I really hope that those reductions are not student-facing positions that are really integral to the student’s well-being... don’t take from those places that typically get hacked right off the bat.”
Tax Policy Questioned Resident Crista Trapp of Alpine Road offered a broader critique of the town’s revenue structure. She noted that Weymouth taxes businesses at a higher rate than residential properties, which she argued might be counterintuitive given that residential property values have skyrocketed. She suggested that a shift in tax classification could help stem the tide of families moving to towns like Hingham for better-funded schools, only to return to Weymouth later for lower taxes.
Why It Matters
For Weymouth families, a budget that does not meet “level service” almost guarantees larger class sizes and the reduction or elimination of specific programs. The Superintendent’s admission that they will soon be discussing “names” confirms that layoffs are on the table. Residents should expect significant debates in the coming weeks regarding which programs—arts, athletics, or core academics—will be prioritized for preservation.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion to Combine 2nd & 3rd Reading of Policy JC: The committee moved to expedite the update to the Attendance Areas policy (Policy JC), which adjusts dates for incoming elementary and kindergarten students.
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Motion to Accept Policy JC:
Outcome: Passed Unanimously
Committee Reorganization
With the induction of new members, Chair Tracey Nardone announced new subcommittee assignments:
Budget: Danielle Graziano (Chair) - Open to all members
Collective Bargaining: Tracey Nardone, Cindy Lyons, Ashley Dickerman
Policy: Mary-Ellen Devine (Chair), Cindy Lyons, Ashley Dickerman
Facilities Master Plan: Tracey Nardone
Other News
New Venue: This was the final meeting at the current location. Future School Committee meetings will be held at the Town Hall Chambers, starting January 22nd.
K-2 Devices: Public comment highlighted positive parent feedback regarding changes to the K-2 device policy, striking a balance between technology use and concerns over screen time.
What’s Next
Budget Subcommittee: Meets January 14th and January 21st at 6:00 PM at Adams. The Jan 21st meeting will specifically cover the technology budget and device philosophy.
Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, January 22nd, 7:00 PM at Weymouth Town Hall.
Source Video: Weymouth Educational Telecommunications (WETC)