3/24/25 - FY 26 Budget Working Meeting

Minutes of the 

Monson School Committee

FY 26 Budget Working Meeting 

Date 3-24-25

Present:  Alison Morgan (Chair), Jamie Murphy (Vice Chair), Colleen Flynn (Member), Karen Nothe-Valley (Secretary), Peter Wiggins (Member), Superintendent Roland Joyal, and Leah Zippin, Director of Business & Operations

Note: This working meeting was held in-person and not recorded. 

Ms. Morgan called the meeting to order at 5:00  p.m.

Meeting information: 

FY 2026 Budget Update

Alison Morgan reviewed historical information with the Committee on past budget seasons illustrating the asks versus amounts later appropriated.  It was noted that historical information was compiled to clarify that certain initial asks are routinely made during budget season to reflect the true costs to operate the schools. However, during the last decade, final appropriated amounts have represented reductions from initial budgetary requests arriving at a level-funded $10,777,000 total operating budget.  Most recently, in FY2025 the final appropriated number dipped below $10,777,000 to $10,599,000. 

The Committee noted that this year’s initial ask for FY2026 was approximately $11,600,000. The Committee considered where the $75,000 over  FY20025 that the Town is offering is coming from, asking the Superintendent whether it was Chapter 70 funding, as appears may be the case. Roland Joyal indicated it may be such a handoff. 

The Committee focused on two options: (1) updated scenarios A-C potential cuts and (2) the possibility of consolidating to (2) schools from (3) schools. 

Committee members raised concerns about the timing and expense to consolidate schools.  It was also discussed whether stabilization funds could be used for move costs.  Committee members considered whether a building consolidation is necessary, would actually result in notable savings, or if it’s even realistic for FY2026.  Committee members contemplated whether making virtually all of the suggested drastic cuts was even feasible (up to $980,000) to close the gap without sacrificing necessary staffing or making program cuts. 

The Committee also talked about the Administrative Team positions and how changes there would impact the financial picture. For instance, if consolidating down to 2 schools, the need would be for  2 principals (instead of 3).  The Committee discussed the possibility of cutting the Director of Curriculum position and redistributing the work to other members of the Admin. Team.   In addition to Curriculum, this position also includes substantial grant writing and state reporting job duties. 

Committee members expressed wanting to keep teachers teaching and keep support persons in the classrooms and also preserving counseling services. 

After reviewing the revised menu of cuts in scenarios A-C, considering consolidation on a preliminary basis, the following motion occurred:

Colleen Flynn made a motion to approve $10,844,619 as the Monson Public Schools total operating budget for FY 2026. 

Alison Morgan  Seconded the motion

No further discussion

Roll call vote:

• Peter Wiggins  YES

• Karen Nothe-Valley NO

• Colleen Flynn YES

• Jamie Murphy YES

• Alison Morgan YES 

Motion passes 4-1. 

As a result of the passed motion, the School Committee arrived at a budget number of $10,844,619 to present to the town of Monson’s Finance Subcommittee and Select Board at the 3/24/25 Tri-Board meeting scheduled for 7:00 PM. 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM. 

Documentation for this meeting:

Agenda

A

Distributed at meeting:  None

Approved by Committee:

_________________________________________________

Karen Nothe-Valley, Secretary