Milton school officials are moving to realign existing funds to bolster academic performance at Tucker Elementary School following an analysis of Spring 2025 MCAS data. During a Wednesday morning finance subcommittee meeting, Superintendent John Phelan outlined a $17,563 reallocation intended to provide "targeted, specific strategy" to improve student outcomes. The plan includes increasing stipends for grade-level facilitators from $600 to $1,000 to form an instructional leadership team and boosting a team chair’s role by 0.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) to allow for more direct classroom support.

The adjustments, which come during Principal Celeste Oag’s second year, were framed as a pilot program that could eventually scale district-wide. Superintendent Phelan noted that the $2,400 increase for six facilitators would require a Memorandum of Agreement with the Milton Educators Association, as the role would shift from bi-weekly to weekly meetings. Member Elizabeth Carroll voiced support for the proactive approach, stating, I'm appreciative that she's looking at ways to address this. It could be a good model for other schools.

Member Nathan David Hutto questioned whether the stipend increase would set a precedent for future negotiations, though Superintendent Phelan clarified that the pilot would be used to evaluate the change in workload before any "big-table" negotiations. Regarding the team chair position, Assistant Superintendent Katie Blake noted that the role was previously expanded using federal pandemic relief funds that have since expired, despite the ongoing need. During the pandemic, that role was increased with federal funds, but those funds went away while the need remained, Blake explained.

The committee also reviewed a daunting list of FY27 capital budget requests as the district grapples with aging infrastructure and a looming $1 million budget gap. Facilities Director Tom McCarthy emphasized the importance of documenting these needs for the town’s Capital Committee, even if full funding is unlikely. If something fails later, we have a ‘trail of breadcrumbs’ showing we asked for it, McCarthy said. He highlighted critical issues with field lighting at Brooks Field, which he described as a significant drain on energy and maintenance budgets. It's killing us in energy and maintenance. Ballasts are $1,100 each and we can't reach the top ones without a contractor, McCarthy added, noting he is pursuing rebates through Eversource and potential support from the Copeland Foundation.

The condition of Brooks Field—including the track, turf, and bleachers—prompted discussion about the safety and longevity of the facility. While the Copeland Foundation has funded the turf replacement three times in the past, school officials warned that the district cannot wait until the field fails to begin planning. Member Mark Loring suggested consolidating the various field projects into a single "Brooks Field Refurbishment" request to seek design funding first. That gives us a professional cost estimate and takes the 'sticker shock' off the initial request, Loring noted.

Concerns over "hidden" maintenance also extended to the district’s technology and communication systems. Blake revealed that the district’s phone system is so outdated that staff members have been forced to source replacement parts from eBay. Deferred maintenance on a network is just as impactful as facilities, Blake warned, noting that waiting several more years for a new system is untenable. These discussions come as the School Committee continues to push back against a town revenue split that currently sees the school department absorbing 84 percent of Milton's fiscal hit.