Weymouth School Committee Approves $92 Million Budget Proposal Amid Potential Shortfall
Murray Family Donates $106,380 to Chapman Band Program in Memory of Son
WEYMOUTH - March 27 - The Weymouth School Committee unanimously approves a $92,079,118 operating budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, representing a 5.27% increase from the current year's budget. The proposal now heads to Mayor Robert Hedlund's office for consideration.
The budget includes funding for level service operations, compliance positions added during the current school year, and approximately $400,000 for high-priority needs positions.
"We are asking the committee to vote an unbalanced budget," explains Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith during the March 27 meeting. "We still do not know final revenue numbers from the state or from local."
School officials are preparing for a potential shortfall of $1.9 million, as revenue projections could be as low as 3%. If realized, this shortfall would result in the reduction of approximately 26 positions across the district.
Committee member Mary-Ellen Devine expresses appreciation for the transparent budget process.
"I think it was a truly transparent and collaborative process that we went through. There was a lot of respect given to everyone that presented and the questions asked and answers that were given out," Devine says.
Committee member Kathleen Curran voices concerns about state-level priorities.
"At Beacon Hill, the state, this is at the state level, the priorities are not our public schools," Curran states. "We have to start there at the state level at Beacon Hill and leadership."
The budget proposal also includes $824,000 for transportation costs outside the operating budget, reflecting a 20% increase in transportation expenses due to rising costs and changes in routing and ridership.
Committee member Dana Scott raises concerns about potential fee increases, particularly for athletics.
"I am very against raising the athletic fees," Scott says. "Less than $14,000 of extra revenue would generate to potentially shut out hundreds of student athletes that may otherwise participate if they did not have the fees raised on them."
Smith clarifies that fee discussions will continue at upcoming meetings, with final decisions expected in mid-May when more budget information is available.
In a moving presentation, Paul and Crystal Murray donate $106,380 to the Chapman Band Program in memory of their son Jack, described as "a cherished musician, artist, and athlete at Chapman Middle School."
"Jack was incredibly loved and he's a really compelling and amazing person and the community came out and showed that," Paul Murray says. "We're very grateful for the community, the town, and the support we've gotten and happy to be able to contribute back in some small way to that."
The donation, which far exceeded the family's initial expectations, will support band programs over the next 10 years, providing opportunities for students who might otherwise not be able to participate.
"We're just paying advance on, I think all the good Jack would have done in this community over the next 10 years," Murray adds. "We're just making sure that some of that's still gonna happen even though he's not here to do it."
The gift will help supplement instrument rental costs and provide opportunities for students to attend music camps and other enrichment activities.
"The cost of those instruments can be supplemented immensely to the point where some students who are on the fence or some families who struggle will be able to continue with those students in that program," explains Doug Landry, band director.
Dennis Jones, assistant principal, emphasizes the gift's focus on accessibility and opportunity.
"We talked early about not wanting to put any type of memorials or anything like that, just so that it's more about Jack's legacy, the things that he left behind and not the tragic events," Jones says. "The other piece was giving access to something that maybe someone who's on the fence who doesn't know if they wanna play an instrument or not."
Crystal Murray expresses gratitude for the community's support.
"I'm glad that good can be done for the school system, for the kids that are in need. They're the ones that deserve this," she says. "And I'm glad that Jack's Legacy gets to live on."
Other Meeting Highlights:
- Student Senate representatives from Weymouth High School reported on various club activities, including the Active Minds club, music department events, and the success of the unified team being named a National Unified Champion School.
- The Department of Education is proposing changes to Career and Technical Education (CTE) admissions, moving to a weighted lottery system that would give preference to students with better attendance and fewer disciplinary actions.
- The Policy Subcommittee will meet on April 8 to review recommendations for changes to the public comment policy.
- The Budget Subcommittee will meet on April 2 to review fee proposals for extended school year, substitute coverage, and athletics coverage.
The next full School Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m.