HANSON - September 10 - The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee voted 6-1 September 10 to authorize a $1.14 million transfer from Circuit Breaker funds to cover a substantial deficit in the fiscal year 2025 budget, marking the first time in Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak's tenure that such a measure has been necessary.
The Full Story
The deficit revelation came during a tense meeting where Szymaniak was forced to present the fiscal year-end numbers himself after the outgoing Director of Business and Finance failed to appear for the scheduled presentation. The Superintendent announced that he would be "responding in writing tomorrow about the future tenure" of the absent director, who had already accepted another position.
The $1.14 million shortfall was primarily driven by personnel overspending, particularly in special education support services. According to district documents, paraprofessional and clerical positions exceeded budget by nearly $900,000, with special education paraprofessionals alone accounting for significant overages due to one-on-one aide assignments and new programs including a second kindergarten ASD program at Conley School and an additional therapeutic learning center.
"Personnel moves, or personnel was over, and that necessarily wasn't communicated to this extent of 1.1 during the course of the year," Szymaniak told the committee. He acknowledged being aware of a deficit as early as March, but said the final number was not known until July invoices were processed.
The Circuit Breaker fund, which reimburses districts for special education costs, currently holds $3.3 million. The district has already committed $2 million of this balance to fiscal year 2026 expenses, leaving approximately $268,000 remaining after the transfer - a precarious position that Szymaniak called uncomfortable.
School Committee Chair Beth Stafford emphasized the gravity of the situation: "We will not be here again this way this year. We have to make cuts that are more severe than they were this year. We cannot run in a deficient way."
To address the upcoming financial management vacancy, the district has contracted with TMS Solutions for $12,000 per month through January 2026 to provide business office services. The company was selected as the successful bidder among three solicited for the six-month contract, representing a reduction from current costs.
Committee member Stephanie Blackman cast the sole dissenting vote on the Circuit Breaker transfer, expressing concerns about the precedent and financial management practices.
The meeting also covered significant operational updates, including current enrollment figures showing 254 freshmen at the high school - up from 220 last year - and the impact of budget cuts that eliminated 20 positions district-wide, though shuffling, retirements, and resignations reduced actual job losses to three people.
In other business, the committee received updates on the successful "Countdown to K" kindergarten orientation program, approved surplus psychology textbooks at the high school, and accepted donations including $6,800 worth of volleyball equipment from adult recreation leagues and Book Fair stipends for fourth-graders from the Rockland-Hanson Rotary Club.
The committee also received a first reading of the revised regional agreement, which has been under development for five years. The agreement maintains current transportation arrangements and increases the capital threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 annually. The Regional Agreement Committee aims to present the final version to town meetings in May 2026.
Looking ahead, Szymaniak announced plans for a comprehensive line-by-line review of the fiscal year 2026 budget with TMS Solutions and building principals to ensure accurate projections and prevent future deficits. The superintendent made clear this would include examining all personnel costs and potentially making additional cuts if necessary.
Why It Matters
This budget deficit represents a significant financial setback for the district and raises questions about fiscal oversight and budgeting accuracy. The transfer from Circuit Breaker funds, while legal, reduces the district's safety net for unexpected special education costs. With only $268,000 remaining in Circuit Breaker after the transfer, any major special education placement could create immediate financial strain. The situation may also impact the district's bond rating ahead of the February 2026 bonding for the new Whitman Middle School project.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Authorize transfer of $1.14 million from Circuit Breaker funds to cover FY25 deficit. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 6-1 (Blackman opposed). (Timestamp: 1:13:40)
Motion: Accept surplus declaration for AP Psychology textbooks. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:18:38)
Motion: Accept Rotary Club donation for Book Fair stipends. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Approved with one abstention (Kniffen). (Timestamp: 1:19:58)
Motion: Accept volleyball equipment donation with conditions. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:34:31)
Public Comment
No public comments were made during the designated public comment period. Peter Sword addressed the committee regarding his volleyball equipment donation during that agenda item.
What's Next
The next meeting on September 24, 2025 will be a workshop format featuring MASC representative Sean Costello explaining school committee duties and open meeting law requirements. The November meeting has been rescheduled from November 12 to November 19 due to the MASC conference. TMS Solutions is expected to begin work the week of September 16, pending contract completion. The regional agreement will return for further discussion in October after committee review.
Edited names in the meeting minutes section, and the date of the next meeting