During the meeting, Lauren Laws, a member of the school committee, underscored the implications of the district’s structural changes and the unanticipated rise in the cost of education, leading to the need for substantial budget reductions. The discussion turned to the town’s overall budget growth, the impact of a postponed budget approval, and the considerations for balancing the budget without compromising services.

The commission acknowledged the difficulty in identifying areas for budget cuts, given the lean operation of existing staff. The potential repercussions for the schools if the budget is not set by a certain deadline were also emphasized, with the possibility of state intervention. A significant increase in special education expenses across all four districts was highlighted, along with the challenges of meeting the obligations of students with individualized education programs (IEPs).

The commission discussed the general town budget, considering proposed cuts in selectmen expenses, accountant salary, town building wages, Board of Health expenses, and heating oil for all buildings. These proposals were debated with attention to previous years’ trends and potential reallocations for future expenses, such as adding heat pumps through a green communities grant.

The unexpected 11.6% increase in the cost of education was described as a “perfect storm,” with only a 0.55% increase in state aid, prompting concerns about the potential risks associated with relying on the governor’s budget for state aid. The slowing economy’s impact on local receipts and fixed costs, such as Plymouth County Retirement and health insurance increases, were noted. The use of free cash to address budget needs was discussed in the context of significant capital requests. Additionally, the funding for a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) at the middle school was debated, considering the value of the services against the town’s ability to support the cost.

The high cost of the SRO at the high school was debated, with concerns raised about the base pay and the possibility of incurring debt to address budget gaps. The town’s stabilization fund was discussed, with an eye toward maintaining and potentially increasing it. Budget reduction sheets from various departments were scrutinized, and the importance of department heads monitoring expenses and adhering to the budget was emphasized.

Financial management and procurement policies were on the agenda, with discussions about avoiding unnecessary spending at the end of the fiscal year and measures to keep better track of purchase orders. The implementation of a new financial system, Spring Brook through Cus Cloud, was mentioned as a step towards improving procurement processes and budgeting. The upcoming finance committee spring conference and the lack of reserve fund transfer requests were also discussed.

A planned joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, and public participation included an inquiry about a budget-related spreadsheet. Members addressed the topic of a potential tax override, emphasizing the desire to avoid tax increases unless necessary. The replacement of water pipes and fixtures at the elementary school was discussed, with efforts being made to secure funding for the project.

The next meeting planning was touched upon, with a suggestion to cancel the upcoming meeting on March 25 to focus on the Capital planning meeting. It was emphasized that the April 3 meeting would be critical, involving a joint session with the Board of Selectmen and the school committee to finalize budget recommendations and capital planning.