Brookline board approves up to $280,000 from fund balances for deferred maintenance

The Brookline School Board voted May 27 to authorize the expenditure of up to $280,000 from the combined FY26 fund balance and the FY25 retained fund balance to address deferred maintenance and other high-priority items removed from the FY27 budget.

Superintendent Berskar presented the year-end projections, saying the district's anticipated year-end operating fund balance is $46,937 and that an additional retained FY25 balance of $185,192 is available. She outlined proposed uses that could be funded if the board approves an expenditure of up to $280,000, including an RMS roof and trim repair ($100,000), RMS parking lot repairs and paving/sealcoating ($150,000), a privacy curtain for the nurse's office ($2,500) and interactive flat panels ($27,300).

Board discussion focused on how best to cover a separate special-education expense overage. The business discussion noted a negative variance in special education (reported in the meeting transcript as "$63,79") and that the district also holds a special education trust with about $285,000 designated for special-ed needs. Board member Allison urged transparency and recommended using the special education trust "because it's there specifically for special ed to then allow us the ability to do these projects," saying that would be clearer for the community.

Superintendent Berskar explained she might first seek to use the special education trust for eligible overages and would publicly notice that action if required; she said such a notice would likely be required seven days before bringing the matter to the board and that a decision timeline falls in early June.

After debate, Chair moved to approve the expenditure (motion: "approve the expenditure of an amount up to $280,000 from the combined FY26 fund balance and FY25 retained fund balance for the items outlined in the public hearing"). The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next: the board authorized the district to draw up expenditures up to the approved limit. Superintendent Berskar and business staff will finalize the specific charges and report back to the board at upcoming meetings.