The meeting began with an in-depth examination of the school district’s budget, which represents a substantial portion of the town’s overall financial plan, accounting for nearly 60% of the total budget. This significant allocation drew scrutiny, as the committee considered the implications of staffing increases within the district. Approximately 13 full-time positions have been added in recent years, prompting discussions about the possibility of layoffs to align expenditures with revenue. One member emphasized the outsized impact of the school budget, stating, “we’re not just picking on them; it’s like these are the biggest budgets that take up the biggest percentage of the entire Town’s budget.”

Concerns were expressed about the disconnect between the school district’s financial needs and the town’s budgetary constraints. The committee noted a stark contrast in financial requests, with the school district seeking an increase of $750,000, while the town’s operational needs were projected to be between $75,000 and $150,000. This disparity underscored the challenges faced in balancing the budget, especially given rising costs and declining enrollment.

Health insurance was identified as a critical financial burden, with the town covering insurance for school employees, contrasting with Old Colony, which includes it within its budget. This approach was cited as exacerbating the town’s fiscal strain, with health insurance costs for school employees estimated at around $2.2 million.

The committee’s discussions also touched on the broader economic pressures affecting all departments, not just the school system. A neighboring town’s administrator was mentioned. This comparison illustrated the tough choices facing Acushnet, including the potential need to cut unfilled positions, although specific details were withheld pending discussions with the board of selectmen.

In addition to the school budget, the committee reviewed other budget categories. Education revenue saw an increase of approximately $1.1 million, yet the financial outlook remained challenging. The town faced a $332,000 increase in joint accounts for employee insurance and pensions, alongside a $174,000 rise in public safety budgets. Concerns were raised about the unresponsiveness of educational institutions, which could hinder the town’s ability to finalize a balanced budget.

The meeting also addressed Old Colony’s financial demands, with a projected increase of $350,000. Discussions centered on the distribution of these increases, with tentative suggestions that if the town budget remained stable, Old Colony might see a $150,000 rise and the Acushnet school system $100,000. Uncertainty was expressed regarding these allocations, given Old Colony’s budget is a fraction of the schools. The committee noted that last year’s debt retirement was covered through the town’s overlay surplus account, raising questions about funding in the current budget.

Amidst these deliberations, the committee emphasized the necessity of establishing a target budget for the Acushnet school district. Plans were made to engage with various departments in upcoming meetings, including the Department of Public Works, to review their budgetary requests. The urgency of achieving a balanced budget was reiterated, acknowledging that minor cuts would not suffice without significant adjustments from the school department.

The committee also discussed the implications of potential state budget delays, which could lead to a 1/12 budget scenario, providing municipalities with funding based on the previous year’s budget rather than current needs. This raised concerns about the timing of budget approvals and the need for coordination with the school committee to avoid last-minute adjustments.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on ethical concerns raised by a committee member whose wife is running unopposed for the school committee. The member sought a formal opinion from the state ethics commission to address potential conflicts of interest.