Superintendent's Newsletter 2.13.2025

Superintendent’s Message FY27 Budget

Dear Norton Families,
 
On Wednesday evening, the School Committee held our annual budget workshop to review the proposed FY27 budget for Norton Public Schools. This meeting is always an important milestone in our process, as it allows us to walk through not just the numbers, but the thinking behind them.
 
The FY27 proposal represents a 4.4% increase over the current year. At its core, this is a level-services budget. In simple terms, that means our primary goal is stability,  maintaining the class sizes, programs, and supports that our students currently have and continue to need.
 
Our budget development process is grounded in the priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan: creating connected and relevant learning experiences, enhancing student outcomes, ensuring high-quality instructional materials, and strengthening school-community partnerships. Every decision was filtered through those commitments.
 
In addition to maintaining what we currently provide, the proposal includes the addition of 2.4 positions. These are not expansions for expansion’s sake, they are targeted adjustments to help maintain reasonable class sizes, strengthen academics and respond to identified needs across our schools.
 
As always, mandated services like special education remain part of our careful planning. While those costs can change from year to year depending on student needs, we are not currently projecting a significant increase in special education costs for FY27. We will continue to monitor this closely, but at this point, this budget is about maintaining stability rather than reacting to growth in that area.
 
On the revenue side, the Governor’s proposed Chapter 70 funding reflects a modest increase of approximately 1.2% at this stage of the state budget process. As a result, local support continues to be essential in allowing us to preserve the educational experience our students deserve.
 
This budget reflects thoughtful planning, many conversations, and a clear focus on students. In the weeks ahead, the School Committee will continue its review, and there will be additional opportunities for public discussion. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support of our schools. We are fortunate to be part of a community that cares deeply about its students.

Norton Middle School Roof Replacement
  
Since opening in 1998, the Middle School roof has experienced ongoing leaks and deterioration. While our team has managed repairs over the years, the roof has now reached the end of its useful life. Continued patching is no longer a sustainable solution.
  
We are fortunate to be eligible for partnership funding through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which will reimburse 55.63% of the project cost. This is a meaningful opportunity to address a long-standing facility need with significant state support.

   
Last night, the Norton Select Board voted to place the project on the April 11th election ballot. Moving forward will require two community approvals: one at the ballot box on April 11th and one at Spring Town Meeting on May 18th to approve a debt exclusion.
  
In the coming weeks, I will be hosting informational sessions to share more details, explain what this means for our schools and community, and answer questions. I hope you’ll consider joining me to learn more and stay informed as we move through this important process together.