Weston School Committee Approves Suspension, Eyes March Budget Vote

WESTON — January 31, 2023 — Weston School Committee holds FY24 budget deep-dive, flagging 3.1 percent increase driven by fixed costs. At a January 31 work session, Chair Daina Selvig outlined a budget calendar running from a February 13 public hearing through a joint Finance Committee session on March 2 and a final committee vote expected before March 13. Middle School Principal John Gibbons reported the school is one section down heading into FY24 — the smallest enrollment since 2001 — resulting in a 1.515 FTE reduction reflected in staffing and supply lines. Operations Director Gary presented a largely level-funded budget against a 40 percent utility increase, with an annual capital pool of roughly $600,000 to $700,000 split between town and school priorities. Finance Director Sherry explained that state per-pupil reporting requirements, town chargebacks, and the rerouting of solar credits to a town-side revenue account roughly three years ago cause Weston's expenditure figures to appear higher than comparable districts. The committee voted unanimously to suspend and resume the following day at 4:00 p.m.