The Community School District (CSD) Board of Trustees and School Committee continued their review of the proposed FY 2026 budget March 24. The almost $11.5 million budget is still in draft form, but the boards anticipate voting separately on it in upcoming meetings.  

Overall, the draft $11,482,911 budget shows a $967,266 (9.2%) increase from last year. According to Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler, increases are mostly due to a general rise in the cost of goods and services as well as benefits and salaries for the staff "required for us to maintain our current levels of programming and services.”  

“The administrators have put out what they think is bare bones without negatively impacting students,” said School Committee member Jenn Whitney. Whitney is also a member of the budget subcommittee, a group made up of district administrators and members of both boards to review the budget before it goes to the full boards. 

Kahler updated the boards on several changes since their last joint meeting Feb. 11. Since then, the proposed budget has increased around $64,000. He said the largest single change was an unexpected increase in insurance rates, around $100,000 more than initially budgeted.   

Kahler reported position changes including reduction of band to half time, two elementary school teaching jobs not being replaced and the elimination of the director of safety and security job. However, the district reversed its earlier decision to cut hours for the gifted and talented job, which remains full time.   

He also said the district reduced the budget from the last meeting through a combined $74,720 cut to line items including regular instruction, fuel oil, secretary salaries and school lunch.   

During the meeting, trustees also questioned an around $217,000 bill from consultant Lavallee Brensinger Architects. The bill surprised the trustees earlier this year because it occurred after a stop-work order from the board. Kahler said the amount is not directly included in the FY25 or FY26 budgets but is part of the $30 million bond currently in litigation. He said the architects are willing to pause the bill, waiving interest until the litigation is resolved. The building committee plans to meet to clarify the situation. 

The boards anticipate continuing reviewing and voting on their portions of the FY26 budget separately. Paul Roberts, a trustee and member of the budget subcommittee, said he thinks the budget is almost complete and further reductions will impact children directly.   

“The question comes down to are we confident enough to put this out to the voters,” he said. “I feel we have gone down every possible road, so I do feel like we are ready.”