Weymouth Schools Prepare for Potential Budget Challenges Ahead
Superintendent outlines sustainable budget approach as committee approves 2025-2026 meeting schedule with additional December date
WEYMOUTH - May 1 - The Weymouth School Committee receives updates on the district's budget outlook for the upcoming fiscal year, with Superintendent Melanie Curtin cautioning about potential economic challenges on the horizon.
Curtin explains that the district is planning for a 3% budget increase for fiscal year 2026, as proposed in Mayor Robert Hedlund's budget presentation to the town council.
"Brian and I were at town council last Tuesday to hear the mayor's 2026 budget proposal," Curtin tells the committee. "It is being proposed that the schools will have a 3% increase, it's pretty much what we were planning for."
The superintendent emphasizes the importance of transparent planning with town officials, including Mayor Hedlund and Chief of Staff Ted Langill.
"Understanding the position the town's in allows us to be planful," she says. "If we were planning on 4% or 5% and then just now hearing that it could possibly be 3%, we would be forced to make some pretty rash decisions."
Curtin, who has been with the district for over 20 years, notes that the economic forecast suggests tougher times ahead.
"Chief of Staff Langill talked about the prospect of next year and the fact that it potentially could be worse," Curtin says. "Assuming that our revenues could decrease, which he was predicting. That's another thing that we're really trying to pay attention to."
She adds that while the district has experienced "really, really strong economies" over the past decade, they are now "buckling up for a little bit of a downturn" and doing their best to plan accordingly.
Brian Smith, the district's Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, informs the committee that the next step in the budget process is a May 13 presentation to the Budget Management Committee of the Town Council.
"We've got a number of questions from the Budget Management Committee already that we'll respond to," Smith says. "And we'll share those questions and answers with the committee probably next week sometime."
The School Committee also approves its meeting schedule for the 2025-2026 school year, with an additional meeting added on December 4 to provide more time for school improvement plan presentations.
The committee discusses how to best structure the schedule to allow elementary schools adequate time to present their improvement plans. After deliberation, they decide to add the December 4 meeting to accommodate Chapman Middle School and Weymouth High School presentations, while using other dates for elementary school presentations.
"I just kind of see it as their moment to shine and talk about the good things that are happening and things that they're planning and things that we've succeeded in doing," says committee member Mary-Ellen Devine. "I just want to give them the platform."
Curtin notes that the 2025-2026 school year represents the third year of a three-year school improvement plan cycle, which should result in shorter presentations as schools provide updates rather than outlining new plans.
The committee unanimously approves the meeting schedule with the additional December date.
In other business, the committee:
* Welcomes Tanna Jango as the new principal of Wessagusset Elementary School. Jango brings over 25 years of education experience and currently serves as a principal in Millis.
* Hears from Superintendent Curtin about the appointment of Ashley Panetta as principal of Hamilton Elementary School after serving as interim principal.
* Learns about the appointment of Christina Melanson and Liz Murray as district curriculum coordinators for the next school year, focusing on K-8 teaching and learning.
* Reviews the first reading of a revised public comment policy (BEDH) that aims to encourage public participation while maintaining respectful discourse at meetings.
* Discusses Superintendent Curtin's proposed goals for evaluation, including student learning targets, inclusive practices, sustainable budget development, improved communication, and enhanced staff evaluation processes.
* Receives updates on upcoming events, including the Chapman Middle School production of "Beetlejuice," the Memorial Garden Ceremony on May 29, and the Weymouth Scholarship Committee presentations after Memorial Day.
The next Budget Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for May 7 at 6 p.m. at Adams Middle School, and the Townwide Parent Council will meet on May 20 at 7 p.m. at the high school.