At the January 13 School Committee Meeting there was a Public Hearing about the FY27 School Budget Request, a Student Advisory to the School Committee Quarterly Update, discussion about the 2026-2027 Middle & High School Program of Studies, and a Pollard Middle School Project Update.
Public Comment
- A parent commented with concerns of a student’s 504 not being followed appropriately.
- A parent commented about the change in insurance policy that will no longer cover team social gatherings hosted by parent organizations
Public Hearing on FY27 School Operating Budget
Dr Gutekanst provided an update on the proposed FY27 Budget. Overall request for School Budget is $106,130,538 which is a 3.97% increase from FY26. Most of this $4.05 million increase will go towards maintaining level service and contract obligations, but $0.13 million will go towards program improvements; 4.69FTE new staff requested. Separate parallel budget for Town IT which has a 12.57% increase and 0.4FTE.
Key drivers of costs:
- Portrait of a Needham Graduate goals guide the budget process
- Enrollment has decreased slightly over the last 2 years, expected to level off and remain steady over the next 15 years. This follows state enrollment trends.
- 5,493 students. The student population has become more diverse, with increased numbers of students who do not speak English as a first language, low income students, and students with high needs, requiring different supports and budgetary needs.
- The number of students receiving special education services has also increased, mirroring statewide increase. The vast majority of these students (78.4%) are in full inclusion classrooms.
- Budget is still in progress, still finalizing athletic, transportation and preschool budgets, but any adjustments will remain within the 3.97% increase
- Looked hard at how to repurpose staff to minimize need for new hires
- New investments
Next steps:
- Jan 20 – School Committee votes the Budget Plan
- Jan 21 – Budget Presentation to the Finance committee
- May 4 – May Town Meeting
There were no Public Comments at this Public Hearing.
School Committee Updates
- Several School Committee members attended the Stephen Palmer meeting on 1/12/26. This property is under School Committee jurisdiction. Matt Spengler will be the SC Member on the Stephen Palmer Project working group.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
NHS Student Advisory to the School Committee (SASC) Quarterly Update
Members of the SASC presented an update about the NHS student experience. Their presentation can be found in the packet. Brief highlights include:
- 9th graders are settling into High School well and feeling more comfortable. Focusing on fundraising and upcoming spring events.
- 10th grade Accelerated History students are busy working on their National History Day projects. Fundraising for social events has been difficult due to current requirements for payments to be either cash or through MySchoolBucks. They are exploring ways to expand payment options.
- Many 11th graders are participating in standardized testing (ACT, SAT, AP tests) which can be very stressful. Trying to find a balance between academic rigor and school activities. Looking forward to the Junior Harbor Cruise.
- 12th graders are excited about their senior spring milestones and determining their post-grad plans.
- At large updates: Student Council has developed subcommittees to focus on 5 actionable topics and this has been working very well.
– Online payment subcommittee looking at making Venmo/Paypal available for payments as this is more convenient for students; researching MA state law and NHS policies
–Parking subcommittee focusing on revising the Senior Class parking lottery system; google form for student feedback
–Constitution subcommittee is working on guidelines for students involved in student council
–Website subcommittee is working on updating the outdated Student Council website
–Standardization subcommittee is comparing and contrasting standardization policies between subjects and teachers and has been communicating with department heads about standardization practices. Goal is to make sure that the standards across each level are the same and that students have the same expectations and level of challenge with all teachers in the same course.
- Student Life Update:
-Attendance policy has been working well and seems flexible enough for student illness. Students are more worried about missing work when out sick than losing credit.
-School Spirit has been increasing
School Committee engaged in questions and discussion.
2026-2027 Middle School & High School Program of Studies
High Rock Principal Jessica Downey, Pollard Principal Tamatha Bibbo, and Needham High School Principal Aaron Sicotte presented on the suggested refinements to the Middle & High Program of Studies. Details can be found in the packet.
Brief highlights:
- Middle School Science section updated to reflect current standards in science education and new technology lessons that have been implemented (ex. digital technology & AI).
- High Rock Structured Learning Support time expectations and messaging clarified
- Pollard has two Special Education programs. The Intermediate Learning Center has programs at both HR & Pollard and is a Partial Inclusion Program. Pollard also has the Intensive Learning Center which is a substantially separate program for grade 6-8 students. Descriptions aligned with elementary school language to streamline communication and help parents differentiate between the two programs.
- NHS changes to course catalog – additions of AP African American Studies course, more formal independent study experiences. Latin has been removed from the course catalog due to declining enrollment and budget challenges. Peer tutoring has been volunteer only (primarily through National Honor Society), not for course credit, so this has been removed from the course catalog. Some clarifications to World Language and Wellness Program descriptions added to ensure that families know what those programs include and understand the depth of programming offered.
School Committee asked questions and provided feedback about the proposed changes.
Pollard Middle School Project Update
Dr. Gutekanst and Alisa Skatrud gave an update on the Pollard Middle School Building Project.
- Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) has been submitted to the MSBA. Dr Gutekanst will meet with the MSBA to answer some of their questions next week.
- Currently in the Schematic Design Phase
- PPBC/SBC is currently exploring the short list for Construction Manager at Risk. Goal to hire Construction Manager at Risk by March so they can work with Design Team to plan how to manage the project and site safely.
- Assuming the MSBA process moves forward after review at the MSBA meeting in February, Schematic Design will be submitted in June.
- Designers will present an update on design progress in February
- MSBA requested confirmation that the School Committee wants to pursue a grade 6-8 building. Vote on this question will be taken this evening.
- Community members are encouraged to follow the project progress and share feedback/questions at the Pollard Project Website.
ACTION ITEMS
Middle School Grade Configuration
The School Committee took a vote on the desired grade configuration for the new Pollard Middle School.
Dr Gutekanst proposed that “the Needham School Committee approves and authorizes the proposed change to the existing grade structure for the following reason: to reunite the 6th grade with the 7th and 8th grade as a unified Middle School as described in the Feasibility Study related materials, and as part of the 2023 Needham Public Schools Master Plan.”
Approved 7-0-0. This result will be submitted to the MSBA.
The next School Committee meeting will be January 20, 2026 at 6:30pm.