Annette E. Doyle

The meeting commenced with a budget hearing where the Superintendent presented the recommended FY27 budget. The committee subsequently approved the consent calendar, which included amendments to the charges of the Tri-District Calendar Review Subcommittee and the Policy Subcommittee, as well as the receipt of the Negotiations / Labor Relations Subcommittee Charge and monthly warrant submissions. In educational and operational matters, the final SEA report for 2025 was presented, highlighting themes of collaboration and resilience. District reports included updates on FY26 budget pressures and recent student participation in concerts. Key business and policy discussions focused on principal budget priorities, which covered school culture, student belonging, and intervention programs. A detailed FY27 budget workshop addressed concerns regarding the potential removal of the SMILE/Explore programs and clarified questions about funding sources like Circuit Breaker funds and the Transportation Revolving Fund. Finally, the committee adopted three policies after legal counsel review: Policy IJOA (Field Trips), Policy KBE (Relations with Parent / Booster Organizations), and Policy KI (Visitors to the School).

The meeting commenced with a public comment requesting that Policy JRA (Student Records) be added to a future agenda. The Consent Calendar, including minor amendments to a special town election flyer and the vote for the adoption of several policies (IMDA, BEDH, BEA, ECAB, EFBA, JJE, KHB), was approved. The Committee discussed and established a new Budget Subcommittee for budget development, fiscal planning, and oversight of capital needs, appointing Betsy Sues and Jessica McCready as members. Discussions also included reviewing documents for the upcoming Finance Committee meeting on budget pressures. A significant portion of the meeting involved planning for the FY27 budget, where the Town Manager and Finance Director presented guidance, drivers of cost escalation, and budget timelines. The Committee engaged in detailed questioning regarding funding sources, budget assumptions, deficit management, and the process for budget development between the School Committee and the Town. Finally, the Committee addressed Superintendent attendance at capital planning meetings, expressing a need for improved collaboration and communication with the Town Manager regarding budget-related meetings.

The Sudbury School Committee's 2025-2026 goals are structured around four key areas: Family and Community Engagement, Teaching, Learning, and Technology, Fiscal Stewardship and Long-Term Planning, and After-School Care & Enrichment. The plan aims to foster trust and collaboration with the community, support effective instructional practices and technology integration, ensure the long-term fiscal health of the public schools, and expand after-school care and enrichment opportunities for students.

The meeting included a joint session with the Select Board to interview and vote on candidates for a Committee vacancy. Candidates were questioned regarding community feedback in educational practices, personnel management, School Committee goals, budget reinforcement, approaches to budget cuts, fostering collaboration, and top priorities. Following the interviews, the committees discussed the applicants. A motion was made and carried by a 7-2 vote to appoint Julie Durgin-Sicree to the SPS School Committee until the end of the May town meeting in 2026. The School Committee and the Select Board subsequently adjourned separately.

The regular session meeting included public comment requesting a future discussion on safeguards for student privacy outlined in Policy JRA. Special matters involved updates on the English Language (EL) implementation, pilot program, and curriculum, along with an update on Middle School Math Progressions, covering pathways, enrollment, and placement processes. The Student Services Report addressed special education trends, program updates, and outcomes, followed by a presentation from the SEPAC Co-Chairs on their annual survey. In business and policy matters, the Committee formally voted to appoint the Town Manager to the Negotiations Subcommittee. The session also included a workshop and review for the FY27 Budget, covering budget guidance, historical spending comparisons, revenue sources, and prioritization discussions leading to the review of Level Service, Targeted Enhancements, and Fiscally Constrained budget scenarios.