Rochester’s Select Board and the Rochester Memorial School Committee on Monday reviewed a budget proposal that includes a plan to cut four instructional staff positions in the next fiscal year.
That part of the $8.5 million proposal for the Rochester Public Schools’ FY27 packed the meeting room with concerned residents as Director of Finance Howard Barber explained the department is dealing with a 7.3 percent budget increase over FY26. Two new students with expensive out-of-district special education needs have entered the school system, he explained. That’s what had causing the budget increase that staff reduction would offset.
Attendees made it clear that seeing three regular teaching positions and one special education position is not what they want to see happen. “These reductions is not what I want to see,” Kate Duggan, School Committee chair, said, speaking on their behalf. “I want to know how we can take these back.” She wanted to know if the money for these positions could still be found or raised in some other way.
The basic answer from officials: it is a hard gap to fill. Select Board Chair Adam Murphy said school special education costs will go up. That factor is never going to change. Town Administrator Cameron Durant said state contributions to the town will only be $35,000 more this year than last year. Spending for special education needs is a mandate the state doesn’t fund well.
“If a need like that is enough to wreak havoc on us, then the system is broken,” Committee Member Robin Rounseville said.
Durant agreed, but noted the current proposals are just estimates. Full estimates will come later. Murphy asked audience members to hold off on asking budget questions until the school committee holds its FY27 budget review meeting later this month.
Earlier in the meeting, the two groups appointed former school committee candidate Barbara Lee to the Rochester Memorial School Committee to replace Anne Fernandes, who resigned in November. Before this result, audience members objected to the two board’s first motion, which was to table a decision to a later meeting. They wanted to be sure proper procedures were being followed in replacing Fernandes.
The motion to table was rescinded. Two candidates presented their credentials: Lee and finance committee member David Arancio. Lee won the majority in a roll call vote.
The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, March 16 at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Select Board
By Michael J. DeCicco