Article 22 covers the School Department appropriation, which currently faces a $1 million gap between the requested 5.2% budget increase and what the town can afford. Warrant Committee Chair Jay Funling explained that while the town accommodated the majority of the request, the remaining shortfall will impact the schools’ efforts to rebuild emergency reserves.

The school department had intended to add $1 million to its reserve fund, which had previously dwindled to zero. To close the budget gap, the schools will reduce that reserve contribution and eliminate some staff positions. According to Funling, the school department identified positions that they believe they can cut without negatively affecting the classroom experience.

The discussion follows the establishment of a new Budget Coordination Committee in 2025, intended to prevent the types of budget emergencies schools have faced in recent years. The Moderator noted that the School Committee will provide further details on these adjustments when the article is called at Town Meeting.