Weymouth Schools Budget Slightly Increases

A new projection has the Weymouth Public Schools closer to a level service budget, but the school district isn’t out of the woods yet.

During a special school committee meeting on Tuesday, Superintendent Kenneth Salim revealed that the new proposed budget stands at $63.5 million, an increase from the $61.8 million budget put forward by Mayor Susan Kay but lower than the $68.1 million proposal voted on by the school committee.

Salim said the increase came after a meeting with Kay, Weymouth CFO William McKinney, and other town officials.

A total of $63.9 million is needed for a level service budget. According to Salim, the schools will receive an extra $350,000 in free cash. Overall, the gap is down from $1.15 million to $799,413, still leaving the need for cuts, a reduction in electives, and a delay in implementing new technology.

The $350,000 will be available if a proposed proposition 2 1/2 override fails. If the override passes, the schools will receive an extra $3 million a year and the extra funds from free cash would not be made available.

Other options to reduce the gap include reductions in teaching positions based on enrollment numbers in the elementary schools, a projected higher reimbursement from the state for special education costs, and the replacement of retiring teachers with younger educators. Teachers in positions that are eliminated would be moved to an open position. Currently, layoffs and staff reductions are not being considered.

The town council will have until June 30 to pass a budget.