School Committee announces $59 million Fiscal Year budget request
A breakdown of the Fiscal Year 27 budget request. Source: DHSTVmedia
A breakdown of the Fiscal Year 27 budget request. Source: DHSTVmedia
As the deadline to submit a budget for Fiscal Year 2027 approaches, the Dartmouth School Committee is looking to request $59,277,916, which is about 7% higher than last year's budget.
Superintendent June Saba-Maguire noted that creating the budget comes "during a time of significant financial pressure, not only for the school district but across the town.”
She added, “In this environment, every decision we make is a thoughtful balance between need, impact, and sustainability.”
The majority of the proposed budget would go toward instruction costs, including staff positions, contractual raises and creating new jobs to better support students.
Instruction costs would make up approximately 80% of the budget, or $43,628,479.
The rest of the budget would go toward the costs associated with administration, maintenance and utilities, tuitions, Medicaid and other services.
The proposed budget is based on information gathered from faculty, staff and parents about what they think the school district needs.
“This budget reflects those voices and responds directly to what our community has asked of us, particularly in the areas of student support,” Saba-Maguire said.
Part of this plan includes becoming less reliant on school choice funds by gradually increasing the operating budget.
Included in the budget is the creation of 15.5 positions, several of which would support the rise in high needs students. These positions include an adjustment counselor, maintenance, a human resources worker, athletic coordinator and technology staff.
With less than 3,300 students enrolled in the district, the school is spending about $3,800 less per student than the state average. This cost includes teacher salaries, insurances and benefits, administration, operations, maintenance and pupil services.
Community members attended a School Committee meeting on Monday, Feb. 9 to voice their support for the School Committee in requesting the budget they need.
“When the majority of the town budget goes to education, something we need to begin to elevate and discuss as a town more, but that’s only going to happen if [the School Committee] puts forward a budget that the school needs … and to push that with the town and the Select Board,” said Town Meeting member Peter Nolton.
