Milton school leaders presented a $75,613,973 budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 that, despite a 3.76% increase in funding, remains $1.049 million below the amount needed to maintain current service levels. Interim Superintendent John Failen informed the Warrant Committee on Monday that the gap will necessitate the elimination of 6.9 full-time equivalent positions, including a high school English teacher and a middle school elective teacher. While some of the cuts involve currently vacant roles, such as directors for data and performing arts, Failen noted that non-renewal papers will be issued to some staff members in April.

This is $1.049 million less than level service, which results in reductions in staff, operations, and increases in fees, Failen said, though he highlighted that the district is still prioritizing a new Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning and professionalizing the human resources department. Warrant Committee member Nikki Boyce questioned the nature of the staff reductions, asking, Are the reductions people in positions or unfilled? Failen confirmed the cuts include both, noting the difficult balance of protecting the classroom while addressing fiscal realities. School Subcommittee member Elaine expressed specific concern over the loss of a high school English teacher, asking why that cut was made given learning losses. Failen responded that the department would remain sized similarly to math and science, and that the district tried to avoid direct classroom impacts where possible.

The budget strain is driven largely by personnel costs and surging special education expenses. School Committee member Mark Luring explained the impact of automatic salary increases, known as steps and lanes, noting a new teacher can see an 8% to 14% pay jump in a single year through experience and advanced degrees. Our special education student population has grown over 10 years from 13.3% to about 18%, Luring added, underscoring the rising demand for services. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Katie Blake noted the administrative challenge of tracking these costs, stating, We track these manually because we don't have software that incorporates this data automatically.

A key strategy in this year’s budget is the aggressive rebuilding of the Special Education Circuit Breaker reserve, which started the year with only $8,712. District leaders aim to reach a $2.7 million reserve over four years to avoid mid-year cuts when unexpected costs arise. Remote subcommittee member Julia defended the School Committee’s difficult choices, remarking that we're going to keep seeing cuts if we expect schools to stay within an unrealistic 3-4% increase after the town opted for a level-service override rather than a needs-based one. Chair Jay Finley reminded the committee that their primary role is to evaluate the total figure for Town Meeting, stating, The Warrant Committee should not focus on minutiae but on major spending priorities.

The committee also reviewed a first-of-its-kind funding request from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to bond $750,000 for the construction of Wharf Park. The total $1.2 million project would transform a 12,000-square-foot waterfront parcel into an accessible park. CPC member Rob Levash explained that on January 12, 2026, the CPC voted to fund the project by bonding the requested funds, which requires two-thirds approval from Town Meeting. Kathleen O’Donnell, a citizen member of the CPC, emphasized that this move would not impact the general tax rate. The debt service comes out of the CPA money, not the town's regular budget, O’Donnell said. This is not an addition to the tax; it is not an override or a surcharge.

Addressing potential concerns about the town’s financial standing, Brian Maguire asked, I'm assuming this bonding isn't going to push against our limits or change our credit rating? O’Donnell noted that the town Treasurer confirmed the dedicated revenue stream protects the credit rating. CPC Vice Chair Jenny Russell pointed out that bonding is a standard tool, noting that over half of the 201 CPA communities have bonded since 2001, including neighboring Randolph. However, Town Administrator Ron Milano pressed for clarity on the trade-offs, asking, What are we sacrificing? Levash responded that the CPC was able to fund all applicants this year and that the debt would only consume 6-7% of their annual budget.

The project would require the removal of a large red oak tree, a point of discussion for the committee. Levash reported that a professional analysis found rot in the tree, suggesting it likely won't last more than 15 years. The roots are also a tripping hazard, Levash added, noting that the design focuses on making the rocky area fully accessible. Cecil Yang inquired about the logistical impact, asking, How long will construction take and will it hinder access? Levash estimated a timeline of eight months to a year, which might require moving the Farmers Market to East Milton Square temporarily. Miss Tangi sought clarification on the scope of the work, asking, How large is that land? Levash described it as a small park of less than an acre.

Finley concluded the meeting by outlining a busy stretch for the committee, including a Vote-a-palooza scheduled for Thursday, March 26. This session is intended to streamline the process by using voice votes for routine municipal authorizations. The committee expects to receive the full town budget from the Town Administrator ahead of a major deliberation and voting session next Monday.