Superintendent: referendum passed but state aid drop will force program changes

Dr. Fitzgerald, speaking as the district’s superintendent, told the kindergarten audience that a $30,000,000 referendum recently passed to upgrade infrastructure, but the district expects reductions in state aid that will force program and staffing adjustments.

“We were originally slaved with about $800,000 in state aid. That number’s gonna fall a little bit north of about $43,038,000 dollars,” Dr. Fitzgerald said in his remarks. He characterized some numbers in the presentation as estimates and told families the district was trying to preserve a full‑day instructional program despite fiscal pressure.

He said the district used temporary federal COVID relief funds to hire additional staff and support services, but those funds were not permanent. As a result, he listed specific areas that are likely to change next year: the district may alter how full‑time gifted services are delivered, convert one supplemental elementary reading teacher back to a teaching assistant role, split the third elementary guidance counselor between elementary and middle school, and pause some elementary library/media specialist positions.

Dr. Fitzgerald also flagged rising operational costs — out‑of‑district placements, bus fuel and repairs, and materials — as ongoing pressures. He told families the district is monitoring an outstanding reimbursement figure described as “extraordinary aid” for special education costs but said that amount was not yet finalized.

Administrators invited questions and said they would post budget updates on the district website and through the district news sign‑up. No formal vote or board action was announced at the meeting; administrators described the changes as anticipated adjustments contingent on finalized state aid and enrollment figures.