Finance Committee commits to public presentation on school cost premium

WESTON — October 18, 2018 — Weston Finance Committee commits to publicly presenting analysis of school cost premium. Member John Sallay walked the committee through a Dover-Sherborn comparison showing Weston sends a materially higher share of graduates to colleges admitting 25 percent or fewer applicants, but does not outperform peers on MCAS scores — complicating the case that Weston schools justify roughly 25 percent higher per-pupil spending. Chair Bharath Venkataraman said the committee will present findings to residents: "We will make a presentation. I think we owe it to the town." Members flagged that town taxes have risen about 42 percent over the last decade against 18 percent inflation, with health and benefits costs and teacher headcount the leading candidates for the per-pupil premium. The committee deferred a town center bid package, citing missing utility information, and previewed Monday's financial summit with the Select Board and School Committee.