In a joint meeting Feb. 11, both Community School District boards conducted their first review of the 2026 fiscal year draft budget. The School Committee and Board of Trustees discussed the proposed $11,419,267 budget presented by district administrators and a budget subcommittee made up of representatives from both boards.  

Documents from the district show a $903,622 (8.6%) increase from last year, with regular instruction increasing by $205,598 (4.1%). Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Director of Finance Kathleen Pearce said most of the rise is due to salary and benefit changes following contract negotiations. She reported salaries and benefits increased by about $965,500 across the district. 

The boards discussed proposed cost-cutting measures including the elimination of the director of safety transportation position and moving the CSD technology office to the AOS 98 level. They also discussed a proposal to reduce the gifted and talented position to half time. However, several educators said the person had brought significant value to their classrooms, and the educators raised concerns the change would effectively vacate the position with little chance of it being refilled soon.  

“The program deserves at least one full-time teacher,” said teacher Chip Schwehm. “It would be a huge step backwards if the program does not survive.”  

Schwehm and others, including board members, said the program is a form of special education, which has a proposed $372,125 (18.1%) increase. They said special education deserves funding, along with the talented and gifted program. Moving the position to half time would cut around $50,000, according to School Committee Chair Peggy Splaine.  

“I understand we are in a tough budget climate for a lot of reasons,” teacher Mark Gorey said, adding regular-instruction teachers cannot meet talented and gifted students’ needs. “However, I don't really hear much about cutting other special education staff and, in this case, we are talking about one person serving 5% of our population.” 

School committee members generally agreed the position should be kept full time. Stephanie Hawke said “it would be a shame” to lose resources for talented and gifted students. Jenn Whitney responded that she “100%” agreed the district should fight for the position to be full time. “If we are willing to meet the needs of students who need more support, who are struggling, why would we take away ... from students who are exceling?” added Jenessa Garrett. 

Other increase highlights from the draft included $92,139 (24.9%) for system administration and $70,190 (21.8%) for extracurricular instruction. However, administrators said several reductions helped offset the increases. These include $54,000 cut for literacy consultants at the elementary school, a $65,702 reduction for support technology, a $94,606 reduction in facilities maintenance, and a high school budget that decreased $31,787 overall. As part of funding sources, the budget also included a $102,618 (8.3%) increase in tuition funding and a $43,200 (5.2%) decrease in state subsidies.  

The boards have another joint meeting scheduled for March 24 to continue budget review.