One focus of the meeting was the budget increase for Norris School, which sparked debate over the town’s financial strategy. Members clarified that the town was meeting its net school spending requirements, which involve both general fund obligations and additional funding. The 4% budget increase for Norris was described as a minimum requirement, with the town capable of accommodating this rise. The discourse extended to a proposed 14% override, intended to bridge the gap between the town’s 4% increase and the requested total. The override reflects a significant difference, estimated to be around 10%, and is designed to meet various financial obligations, including contractual commitments and the hiring of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at a cost of approximately $85,000. This role is deemed essential for retaining more students within the district.

The conversation also addressed the growing costs of special education, which have increased by about $280,000, and the central office expenses, which saw an uptick of $190,000 due to a forensic audit. Members underscored the importance of effectively communicating the budget needs to the public, stressing that the narrative should take precedence over raw figures. The potential loss of ten teachers was flagged as a issue that voters would need to consider, though the ballot question itself could not elaborate on these implications. Members noted that parents and union representatives might advocate more freely for the budget than the committee members could.

The committee discussed the complexities of funding formulas and the state’s approach to net school spending, highlighting Southampton’s unique position of being responsible for students up to sixth grade before they transition to Hampshire Regional. This structure complicates budget allocations, particularly concerning vocational expenses, which some argued should not fall under the elementary school budget.

The meeting continued with discussions on the town’s application for a $50,000 feasibility study through the MVP program. This study aims to assess the establishment of a cooling center at Norris, which would serve as a resource during extreme weather conditions, benefiting both students and local seniors. The principal reported writing a letter of support for this application, which received backing from other department heads.

The superintendent provided updates on the regional agreement for Hampshire Regional, noting ongoing revisions to ensure historical amendments are accurately captured. Collaboration with Russell Dupereé’s office is expected to finalize these revisions before presenting them to the Hampshire Regional School Committee and subsequently to the towns for approval. The superintendent also reassured the committee that student protections remain intact under Title IX and Title VI, despite legal framing changes.

The chair’s report heavily focused on budget discussions and the potential for a ballot override. The chair expressed the importance of presenting the override question directly to voters, rather than deciding at a town meeting. The chair argued that a single motion allowing voters to choose between the override and a contingent budget would enhance transparency and ensure broader community engagement. The deadline for finalizing the proposal for the town meeting was set for April 15th.

In other business, the committee discussed a Hampshire Regional School Committee report, which focused on technology policy reviews. Concerns about potential future staff reductions due to financial pressures were also raised. Additionally, the capital committee’s upcoming meeting was mentioned, with a call for any requests from Norris to be submitted promptly.

The meeting included discussions on grant applications, budget transfer requests, and an outstanding payment issue of approximately $400. The committee empowered its chair to negotiate with the Hampshire Regional School Committee’s chair to establish a repayment agreement, given financial constraints.

The second reading of the Title IX policy revisions confirmed that previous procedures would revert to those established in the 2020 version of the law. The committee scheduled an emergency meeting for the following Tuesday to address time-sensitive matters.

An update on the IT contract revealed a transition from a fully outsourced service to a hybrid model, with network security contracted out. Twin Lakes was awarded the contract due to their service alignment and recommendations, despite not being the lowest bidder.

A request from sixth-grade teachers for a field trip to Sunny’s Place in Summers, Connecticut, was approved. The trip, occurring during school hours, required school committee approval due to travel outside Massachusetts.