School committee approves tuition, bus, athletics and facility fee increases and a $337,699 FY26 grants revision

The Longmeadow School Committee on April 14 approved a series of finance and budget items recommended by the Finance Subcommittee.

Preschool tuition: The committee approved a three-year preschool tuition schedule proposed by Finance Sub: FY27 half-day $3,150/full-day $6,300; FY28 $3,300/$6,600; FY29 $3,465/$6,930. Finance members said the increases reflect rising staffing and transportation costs and follow a modest multi-year approach to provide families advance notice.

Out-of-state tuition: The committee set the FY27 out-of-state tuition rate at $17,700, noting that state law caps such tuition at the district's per-pupil expenditure.

Bus fees: For families who do not qualify for free transportation, the committee approved a three-year bus-fee schedule: FY27 $275, FY28 $290, FY29 $305, with a two-rider cap per household.

Athletic fees: The committee approved revised athletic user fees with an average increase of about $20 per sport to cover program costs (coaching, officials, game management and transportation); the administration estimated roughly $20,000 in additional revenue based on FY25 participation.

Facility use fees: The committee approved updated building-use fees (elementary, middle and high school rates) to reflect higher utilities and custodial costs, including an increased high-school auditorium rate.

FY26 grants and special revenues: The committee approved a revision increasing FY26 grants and special revenue budgets by $337,699. The largest changes were a $300,000 upward revision to the circuit-breaker special-education reimbursement account and a $30,000 allocation in the school-choice account to cover personnel-related expenses; a small new math grant of $7,000 was also added.

All motions described above were moved, seconded and approved by roll-call votes at the April 14 meeting. The committee placed two Parks & Recreation building-use requests on the consent agenda (a first-responders basketball game on April 25 and a co-ed basketball camp Aug. 10-14) and approved the consent agenda without discussion.