Weston School Committee hears budget testimony from robotics, METCO, teachers

WESTON — February 3, 2025 — Weston robotics, METCO, and curriculum staff press school committee on FY26 cuts. At a February 3 public hearing on Superintendent Dr. Zaleski's preliminary fiscal 2026 budget — initially a 3.36 percent increase, now closer to 3.9 percent after two middle school sections and an elementary curriculum coordinator were added — robotics parent mentor Kerry Gumbert asked the committee to budget approximately $150,000 to cover instructional stipends and parts for a program that grew from 50 expected students to more than 260 applicants this year. Head coach Ken Huang said his $20,000 stipend covers 10 weekly hours across six FTC teams but does not fund FLL support across 17 teams. METCO Director Theresa Dryden objected to the proposed elimination of the district's DEI coordinator, saying "every team needs a leader." Retiring K-5 curriculum specialist Sue Erikson warned that replacing content specialists with generalists would leave a K-3 coordinator responsible for "576 standards between the four frameworks." A final vote is set for March 10 ahead of the May 6 Town Meeting.