Families using Milton Public Schools’ before and after school programs face a significant cost increase under a new proposal aimed at erasing a deficit in the Community Schools revolving fund. Director Martha Sandoval presented a multi-year plan on Wednesday morning to raise hourly tuition rates, citing a need to return the self-sustaining program to solvency after recent wage increases for staff and efforts to reduce student waitlists.

The proposal seeks to bring the current hourly rate of $6.83 up to $10.00 by the 2027-2028 school year. Sandoval explained that Milton’s fees have historically lagged behind neighboring districts and nonprofit programs. For the longest time, our tuition fees have been way under compared to similar programs, Sandoval said, noting that the goal is to build a $650,000 surplus to cover three months of operational costs. The specific recommendations for the upcoming year include raising the ACE program rate to $8.87 per hour, the Early School program to $8.50 per hour, and reducing the sibling discount from 30% to 20%. Additionally, the department is considering suspending the December vacation program due to low enrollment and staff burnout.

Member Mark Loring expressed concern over the cumulative financial impact on residents. A 30% increase next year is hard; that's an extra thousand dollars per kid for families, Loring said. I'm not a fan of fees, but I understand the necessity. Assistant Superintendent Katie Blake noted that the revolving fund must eventually cover all materials, curriculum, and personnel overhead without relying on the school’s operating budget. The revolving fund should completely offset all expenses, Blake explained, adding that the district is currently taking a hit by only asking for a $150,000 offset to support the program during this transition.

Interim Superintendent John Phelan supported the long-term target, noting that it provides a clear roadmap for sustainability. I'm glad you have that goal stated. It shows we are being thoughtful and incrementally trying to get there, Phelan said. Chair Amanda Serio, who arrived mid-meeting, agreed to defer a formal vote on the new fee schedule until next week to allow for a full review of the presentation materials.

The committee also turned its attention to the FY27 budget document that will be presented to the Warrant Committee on March 17. The current request reflects a 3.7% increase, a figure that remains steady even after the committee recently moved to restore several positions, including the Director of Equity and special education BCBAs. Blake noted that the detailed budget document shows every line item, including FTE information and revenue offsets. The net budget total is what we request from the town, Blake said. Loring advocated for providing the data in a more accessible format, stating, I think providing it as an Excel spreadsheet would be easier so they can sort it themselves by percent difference or dollar amount.

Looking toward future cycles, Superintendent Phelan emphasized the need to establish a more rigid budget calendar to avoid the rushed nature of this year’s process. We need a budget calendar that starts in August and September, Phelan said. The full-line budget should be with the Warrant Committee by early February. Phelan suggested that the current year’s delays were partly due to a gray area regarding the function of the new Budget Coordination Committee.

Chair Serio questioned the impact of those town-wide coordination efforts on the school’s internal deadlines. I'm wondering how the Budget Coordination Committee impacts that calendar and if that added a layer of gray area this year, Serio asked. Officials noted that providing early clarity is essential for staff stability, as Blake reminded the committee that uncertainty impacts administrators and teachers deeply when they are left wondering about the status of their positions into the spring.