The primary focus of the meeting was the school department’s budget, particularly the employment of academic coaches and various administrative positions. One member expressed frustration, stating that spending “roughly a quarter of a million dollars” on academic coaches was excessive. The concern highlighted a perceived misallocation of funds, emphasizing the need to focus on teachers who are already trained and capable of addressing classroom issues. The speaker underscored that the town’s budget could not sustain such expenditures without adversely affecting other critical areas like public safety and administration costs. This sentiment was echoed by another member who stressed the need for accountability in educational spending, arguing that simply increasing the budget does not guarantee improved educational outcomes. They called for more effective use of funds, suggesting that if outcomes do not improve, the board should question the effectiveness of the spending.

Concerns were also raised about the sustainability of the budget, with a member referencing a trend of year-over-year spending averaging “about $1.4 million” over a decade. They warned that this trajectory could lead to substantial financial strain on the community, potentially resulting in residents losing their homes due to rising taxes. The member urged the board to reconsider how educational resources are allocated, emphasizing the need to balance quality education with economic realities. They stated, “we represent every single taxpayer in this town,” highlighting the importance of making informed financial decisions.

Further discussion revolved around the constant reevaluation and redesign of educational programs, which some members argued wasted resources. One member recalled their educational experience, noting that textbooks were used for extended periods without needing frequent updates, leading to successful learning outcomes. They advocated for a return to fundamental subjects and methodologies, stating, “get back to the basics right math English science reading,” and criticized the overreliance on technology in early education, asserting that it could detract from essential learning skills like writing.

The board then addressed the town’s current financial obligations, particularly focusing on a debt that incurs approximately $63,000 in interest annually. There was a suggestion that if the debt could be reduced by half, the interest payments could drop to around $35,000. Utilizing solar revenue to help mitigate this debt burden was discussed, with concerns raised over the sustainability of continuously paying out such significant sums annually. The idea was floated that the Board of Selectmen might consider transferring a portion of this debt responsibility to the school department, though this was presented as a potential option rather than a definitive plan.

In addition, the meeting covered several articles related to budget adjustments and financial transfers. Article One proposed raising and appropriating $6,279 to settle bills from prior fiscal years, including payments to WB Mason and peer review fees from Kico Engineers. There was concern about whether the peer review fees should typically be covered by the applicant, with a member suggesting it was not appropriate for the town to incur this cost. Article Two sought approval for a transfer of $9,500 from the Assessor Department’s line item to the Town Buildings line item, with discussions about rewording the article to reflect that it was merely a transfer of previously raised funds.

Article Three addressed the transfer of unused balances from various capital projects back to the general fund, highlighting approximately $125,000 remaining in school projects. A member expressed reluctance to move funds related to town repairs. Article Four involved accepting and expending funds from the Fair Share Amendment for public works improvements. Article Five proposed using $7,881 from the stormwater management MS4 stabilization fund for compliance costs, with a discussion on covering part of the bill using a previous article with $35,000.

Article Six, which involved proposed amendments to the charter, was suggested for postponement until further consultation with Town Council. Article Seven reviewed an agreement related to the Department of Public Works collective bargaining agreement, prompting a request for an executive session to discuss further. Article Eight proposed amending the Soil Conservation bylaw to remove a weight limit for truck transportation of materials, with the board supporting the removal to align with general laws.

Lastly, Article Nine addressed funding for the repayment of a school roof ban from solar tax revenue, proposing a transfer of $550,000 to expedite debt repayment and reduce interest costs. There was ongoing discussion about the current debt situation, with suggestions to explore utilizing free cash from dissolved articles for additional payments, emphasizing the importance of reducing debt quickly.