Within an overall budget increase of no greater than 3%*, a Boxborough assessment of less than 6%, and $0 of Excess and Deficiency use:
● Increase Capital Funding in order to ensure adequate funding for necessary short and long-term facilities needs. ● Plan for obligations including Cost of Contracts (steps, lanes, and Cost of Living Adjustment - COLA), Retirement Contributions, Health Insurance Premiums, and any remaining runout claims from the Acton Health Insurance Trust. ● Reduce Tuition for Kindergarten families. ● Budget for general education class sizes within established school committee guidelines. The rationale for proposed exceptions to this should be made clear by the administration. ○ Kindergarten 18-20 students ○ Grades 1-3 20-22 students ○ Grades 4-6 22-24 students ○ Grades 7-12 22-24 students ● Incorporate prioritized recommendations from the Elementary Budget Task Force ● Utilize staff attrition (retirements and resignations), whenever possible to reduce staffing levels in the event budget reductions are necessary. Preliminary Budget and Assessments The Superintendent’s Preliminary Budget for FY26 totals $116,135,080 and represents a 3.00% increase from FY25. The preliminary assessments for the towns are:
Acton - $79,835,435 (0.97%) Boxborough - $16,798,204 (5.25%)
The FY26 Budget was built upon a modified base budget for FY25. The modified base reduced excluded debt from the JHS/HS which was paid off in FY25, and one-time funds from the current operating budget before calculating the increase for FY25. Excluded debt was removed from the base calculation for FY25 because it also represents a proportionate decrease in revenue for both towns. One time funds were removed from the budget by agreement with the towns when the school committee voted on a revised budget after town meetings last year. These one time funds were largely to pay run-out claims from the health insurance trust, with a small amount paying for an elementary budget study, and short-term debt premium.
Details for FY25 Base Budget calculation are:
$116,091,265 FY25 Budget (Revised - 06/2024) - $1,627,600 Reduce excluded debt from JHS and SHS renovations - $1,711,160 Reduce one time funds from FY25 (E&D, BAN Revenue) $112,752,505 FY25 Base Budget used for calculating 3% increase $3,382,575 3% Increase on “Base” Budget $116,135,080 FY26 School Committee Budget Guideline
To develop engaged, well-balanced learners through collaborative, caring relationships. WELLNESS • EQUITY • ENGAGEMENT
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