Weston School Committee reviews $45.3 million FY23 budget proposal

WESTON — January 18, 2022 — Weston schools open FY23 cycle with a $45.3 million budget and immediate pushback on its 3.3 percent growth. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Sherry Matthews presented the $45,265,233 proposal — a $1,447,316 increase — driven by roughly $200,000 in step and longevity raises, a $182,853 jump in out-of-district special education tuition, unsettled contracts across five of six bargaining units, and the migration of five building substitute positions from grant funding into the general fund. Member Danielle Black said the figure "seems a little high to me" and warned against carrying ESSER-funded headcount past the grant's 2024 expiration. Finance Committee member John Sallay told the committee enrollment is down 4.5 percent over two years to 1,948 students despite this year's 42-student rebound, calling 3.3 percent growth hard to justify. The budget hearing is set for Feb. 15.