Weston School Committee weighs three FY27 budget tiers, defers final vote

WESTON -- February 9, 2026, Weston School Committee reviews three FY27 budget tiers ranging from a 3.99 percent increase to a higher option adding co-teaching positions and full-day kindergarten specials. Superintendent Dr. Karen Zaleski presented the scenarios at the February 9 meeting, with the moderate tier adding 0.2 FTE for elementary after-school arts and PE, 1.0 FTE at the high school to support a new schedule rollout, and a 0.6 FTE out-of-district special education coordinator; the highest tier would further add 2.0 FTE special educators, 0.35 FTE in middle school world language, and full-day Wednesday kindergarten specials. No budget vote was taken. Member Jane Li called the moderate increase her "minimum," while member Tiao Xie said he leaned toward 1 FTE for the high school and called the elementary arts and PE addition "a no-brainer." In separate action, the committee unanimously appointed Kenneth Newberg as inaugural chair of the newly formed Weston School Building Committee, and approved a $1,500 Bergeron Family Foundation donation in the consent agenda.