School Comm. to Continue Discussion of Possible Override at Monday Meeting

By Adam Swift

There will be another chance for public input on a proposed school budget override at the school committee’s regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 16.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. in the Harvey Hearing Room at Winthrop Town Hall.

In November, voters rejected a $4.95 million override that would have included money to fund an expected budget shortfall for the FY26 school year, as well as place about $1.4 million in an educational stabilization account.

Since the early November vote, the school committee and the district have been working to bring another override vote forward to the public, either in the late winter or early spring.

Late last month, the school committee’s finance subcommittee recommended moving forward with the $4.95 million figure once again.

During a public meeting at the high school on Monday night, the school committee heard from residents regarding a potential override vote and the figure they would like to see.

While some said they would like to see the school committee back out the $1.4 million for the educational stabilization fund and move forward with a $3.55 million override, there were also many at the meeting who supported moving forward with the full $4.95 million figure again, according to School Committee Chair Jennifer Powell.

Powell said the $3.55 million figure is the number needed just to get the schools operational near the current level for FY26. Including the money for the stabilization account would help create consistency within the budget for several years beyond that, she said.

“It’s crucial for the community to understand that we need the $4.9 million to stabilize the schools for the coming years,” said Powell.

Powell said there was also some discussion about exploring a split ballot question with different budget figures, but that the school committee needs more guidance before moving forward with that possibility.

While the $4.95 million override failed in November, Powell said she is hopeful that residents will be able to understand and see the need for the funding as a second override vote becomes a reality.

Powell said she also encourages residents to have their voices heard on the issue before a potential school committee vote on Monday night by either attending that meeting or getting in touch with the committee prior to it.