Superintendent outlines FY24 draft budget, says district holding level service with 3.4% projected increase

Superintendent Jason DeFalco presented the district's draft FY24 budget, stressing the figures were preliminary and will be certified after a public hearing in March. "What you are seeing tonight is a draft," he said, adding that the school committee would not finalize a budget until certification.

DeFalco said the draft assumes no new positions and a reduction of three full-time equivalent positions; it relies on $400,000 in grant offsets but faces rising costs that push the draft to a 3.4% increase to the towns as the district currently projects. "We have eliminated free positions. We've not added any new positions. We have contractual obligations that are just about 3%. Our heating costs are up 24%. Our utility costs ... are up 32%." (Jason DeFalco)

Enrollment and student demographics were presented as context for the budget: the October 1 enrollment used for state reporting was 1,468 students; current-day enrollment including out-of-district students was described at roughly 1,500. The superintendent said the district has increased English-language learners and is continuing investments in mental-health supports and career-readiness programming.

DeFalco also flagged revenue risks: federal ESSER 3 funds and other grants that currently support positions will expire on June 30, 2024, and the district expects to seek other offsets and pursue continued grant writing. He identified a 14% state-assigned increase in private special-education tuition and a 10% increase from the district's collaborative as key cost pressures.

Officials said the draft 3.4% assessment outcome could change once the governor's budget numbers (chapter 70 and other reimbursements) are released. Committee members asked for additional detail on per-pupil spending and staff-to-student ratios; the superintendent agreed to provide those figures when the budget is closer to certification.

The presentation closed with an invitation to review a detailed budget packet and follow-up meetings with finance committees and town boards as needed prior to certification and town meetings.