In early December, Superintendent Gutekanst presented his FY 2016 operating budget request to the School Committee (for the school year starting in July 2015). Since that time, the budget has been revised as new information has become available. Currently, the budget request is for $61.35 million, an increase of 5.8% over this year's budget. This represents a $277,000 increase from the December request primarily due to higher expenses for out of district special education tuition. A presentation on the Superintendent's original Budget Request is available here.   

 

As discussed in the December CNS newsletter, a key driver in next year's budget is rising special education costs. Over $1 million in new special education costs have arisen since July when the current budget year began. These additional expenses have a large impact on next year's budget request, and they are also putting pressure on this year's school budget. Indeed, the School Committee plans to ask the Finance Committee for reserve funds to cover some of the special education tuition and transportation costs that have arisen since the summer. 

 

The budget proposal will continue to be refined over the next few weeks and we encourage you to learn more and and provide your thoughts at next Tuesday's Public Budget Hearing.

 

Town Meeting Members play a critical role in our Town government because most decisions, including all expenditures, must be approved by Town Meeting. School supporters, especially parents of school-aged children, who serve as Town Meeting Members can help ensure the schools' needs and concerns are voiced at Town Meeting. They will also gain a greater sense of the entire Town budget and how the schools fit within this. 

 

Nomination papers for new Town Meeting Members, as well as town-wide offices, are available at the Town Clerk's Office for anyone interested in running. New Town Meeting Member candidates need only obtain 10 valid signatures of registered voters in their precinct to be placed on the ballot. Nomination papers are due on February 24th. More information is available on the Needham Town Clerk's website.

 

Want to learn more?

The Needham League of Women Voters, in association with the Needham Channel, has produced an informational video on Town Meeting: its role, how to become a Member and what's involved if elected.