Weston School Committee orders FY26 budget redrawn at Option 8 under 4 percent

WESTON — January 27, 2025 — Weston School Committee directs FY26 budget kept under 4 percent with added grade 6 section. The committee instructed Superintendent Dr. Tolesky to return with a draft that adds a grade 7 section, a third elementary curriculum coordinator and a grade 6 section while holding the total increase below 4 percent — up from the recommended 3.31 percent baseline. Adding all three would otherwise reach 4.02 percent. Vice Chair Tiao Xie initially pushed a narrower 3.79 percent package plus roughly $90,000 added to contingency, arguing the committee should "trust you to figure out what's the right decision" between May and August. Members Stephen Dietz and Jane Li prevailed in committing to the grade 6 section now, citing Table K projections and Middle School Principal Phil's report that current sections sit near 24 students — the largest, veteran teachers told him, in 25 years. The committee also unanimously passed its consent agenda by roll call.