HANSON — March 11, 2026 — The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee officially set its Fiscal Year 2027 budget at $66,758,178, voting to approve town assessments despite renewed friction regarding how non-mandated busing costs are distributed between Whitman and Hanson. The 8-1-1 vote marks a critical step in the district’s financial planning, finalizing a 4.92% increase for Hanson and a 4.85% increase for Whitman in operating assessments, while Interim Superintendent John Marcus emphasized that the current budget represents the minimum required to sustain district operations.
The Full Story
The meeting began on a somber note with a moment of silence for Federico Cafardo, a dedicated teacher at Hanson Middle School for 35 years, and Tim Ewell, the husband of Whitman Middle School art teacher Rebecca Ewell. [00:14] However, the atmosphere quickly shifted to a celebratory one as students from Duval Elementary School’s “Dolphin TV” took over the podium. The students presented a lively update on their “Decades Assemblies” and a collaborative “Community Card Project” funded by a Mass Cultural Council grant. [01:59]
The primary focus of the evening was the formalization of the FY27 budget and the resulting assessments for the member towns. Interim Business Director Matt Wells and Interim Superintendent Dr. John Marcus presented the final figures, which included a $228,000 gap closure achieved through the strategic use of revolving accounts rather than further personnel or program cuts. [01:16:35]
“This is the budget that we’re comfortable with. This is as far as I’m willing to go. I’m not getting rid of anything else. We can’t afford to do anything less than what we’ve presented.” [01:18:20] — Interim Superintendent John Marcus
The most discussed portion of the meeting centered on “Step 6” of the assessment formula: the separation of non-mandated busing. Under the current assessment method, these costs—which include transportation for students living within two miles of their school—are split roughly 80/20, with Whitman bearing the larger share based on mileage and ridership. [01:30:28]
Committee member Rosemary Hill and representatives from the Whitman Select Board, including Shawn Kain and Justin Evans, raised concerns that this method deviates from the original 1992 regional agreement and unfairly burdens Whitman taxpayers. Kain argued that non-mandated busing should be rolled into the general operating budget, which would utilize a 60/40 split. [01:46:41] Conversely, member Beth Stafford and Vice Chair TJ Roffey argued for maintaining the separation to allow towns to vote specifically on whether they wish to continue funding non-mandated transportation at town meetings. [01:32:42]
In other business, the committee unanimously approved a 20-year net metering credit purchase agreement with New Leaf Energy. This initiative is projected to save the district approximately $85,500 in its first year by purchasing solar energy credits, with no up-front financial burden to the schools. [01:56:41]
Finally, the committee approved the 2026-2027 academic calendar. Students are scheduled to return to classrooms on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following two professional development days for staff on August 31 and September 1. [02:02:13]
Why It Matters
The approval of these assessments sets the number that Whitman and Hanson taxpayers will see on their town meeting warrants this spring. The debate over busing highlights a long-standing tension in regionalization: whether to treat the district as a single, unified entity or to maintain town-specific accounting for services like transportation. For parents, the approved school calendar provides essential dates for the upcoming year, while the New Leaf Energy deal represents a proactive effort by the district to find non-educational savings to offset rising operational costs.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To set the WHRSD FY27 Budget at $66,758,178. [01:42:49]
Vote: 8-1-1 (Hill abstained, Roffey voted No) [01:56:11]
Motion: To approve the Town of Hanson operating assessment of $16,551,342. [01:43:56]
Vote: 8-1-1 [01:56:11]
Motion: To approve the Town of Whitman operating assessment of $20,883,763. [01:44:23]
Vote: 8-1-1 [01:56:11]
Motion: To enter into the net metering credit purchase agreement with New Leaf Energy. [01:59:35]
Vote: Unanimous [02:01:14]
Motion: To approve the 2026-2027 Academic School Calendar. [02:03:45]
Vote: Unanimous [02:04:53]
Public Comment
There was no introductory public comment. However, Whitman Select Board members Shawn Kain and Justin Evans participated extensively in the discussion regarding the transportation assessment method and the interpretation of the regional agreement. [01:46:41]
What’s Next
Hanson Finance Committee Meeting: March 24, 2024, to review the budget presentation. [02:03:42]
Town Meetings: The approved assessments will now proceed to the respective town meetings in Whitman and Hanson for voter approval.
Disclosure: South Shore News founder Justin Evans is a current member of the Whitman Select Board.
Source Video: Whitman-Hanson Educational Channel