Weymouth School Committee Appoints Scott, Faces $2.3 Million Budget Shortfall

WEYMOUTH -- March 7, 2024, Weymouth School Committee unanimously fills vacant seat and hears $89.1 million FY25 budget request carrying a $2.3 million gap against current town projections. The committee voted 5-0 to appoint Dana Scott to the open seat Thursday after five candidates participated in a public forum the prior week. Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith presented the proposed operating budget of $89,145,599, a 5.78 percent, or $4.871 million, increase, driven by the expiration of $2.5 million in federal ESSER pandemic relief funds, a projected $1.1 million mid-year shortfall in FY24, and a state aid increase that amounts to just $14 per pupil. Smith said the town currently projects roughly 2.3 percent revenue growth against 6.3 percent cost growth, leaving the district roughly $2.3 million short under present numbers. The committee voted unanimously to keep Weymouth out of the school choice program for 2024-2025 and is scheduled to vote on the full budget at its March 21 meeting.