Weston School Committee files MSBA interest for high school and middle school

WESTON — January 22, 2024 — Weston files MSBA interest for both high school and middle school as Zaleski recommends $47.6M budget. The School Committee voted 5-0 twice on Jan. 22 to authorize Superintendent Dr. Karen Zaleski to submit statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by the April 12 deadline, citing end-of-life heating systems last renovated in the late 1990s and an NEASC reaccreditation review due in spring 2025. Chair Kenneth Newberg said the filings are non-binding but get Weston "on the MSBA's radar." Zaleski's recommended FY25 budget of $47,556,285 — a 3.31 percent increase — adds 8.7 student-facing FTEs against 4.0 non-student-facing cuts, including 3.5 instructional coaches. The district is committing $250,000 in remaining ESSER funds to a feasibility study and holding another $250,000 as contingency. The Feb. 5 public hearing will be held in person regardless.