School District Faces Potential Budget Shortfall, Towns Consider Overrides
Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee hears clean audit report amid budget discussions
HANSON - February 26 - The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee received a clean audit report for fiscal year 2022 while simultaneously grappling with budget challenges that may lead both towns to consider operational overrides.
Jennifer Cook from Clifton, Larson, Allen presented the FY22 audit findings at the February 26 meeting.
"We did issue an unmodified opinion on the 2022 financial statements," Cook explains. "Related to internal controls, we did not have material weaknesses or significant deficiencies identified."
The audit was significantly delayed due to technology issues the district experienced following a data breach, which Cook acknowledges created challenges in preparing financial records.
"The audit was significantly delayed, and we've been working closely with management and getting that rectified," Cook says. "I really appreciate all the efforts of management because this was no easy task to create these financial records for us to be able to audit."
While the financial statements received a clean bill of health, the federal awards portion of the audit remains in process, with completion expected in March or April.
Superintendent Jeff Szymaniak reports that both Whitman and Hanson are considering operational overrides to address budget shortfalls. The district's proposed budget increase of 5.36% aims to maintain current programs but faces resistance from some town officials pushing for a 5% cap.
"I was invited to the joint meeting of the Whitman FinCom and Select Board yesterday," Szymaniak says. "It seems like the town of Whitman is going to be moving to an override."
Szymaniak defends the district's budget planning, noting they created a five-year plan in 2022 that projected a 4.7% increase for FY26, close to the current 5.36% proposal.
"I cannot support the contingency budget number that was presented which would look like a $580,000 increase overall for Whitman this year when I'm looking at one point which would be a 1% increase of our budget," Szymaniak states.
School Committee Chair Beth Stafford emphasizes the potential impact of a 5% cap, noting it would mean "a loss of 1.6 million off of our budget."
Committee member Rosemary Hill expresses frustration with arbitrary budget caps, saying, "You don't get to make up arbitrary numbers and say I want to give this amount. We have to meet a goal."
Szymaniak points to rising costs across multiple areas as driving the budget increase.
"Health care costs are up. They're not exponentially up, but they're up," he explains. "Special education costs are here. They're not for us. It's not out of control. It's not a budget killer like in some districts. We're there. But everything is up. Salaries are up. That's okay. They should be."
Committee member Stephanie Blackman notes that many surrounding communities face similar financial challenges.
"We are not unique in this situation," Blackman says. "If you look at the news just off the top of my head Duxbury has an override going. Hanover has an override. Norwell I read was on $4.1 million proposed override. Hingham I believe is talking about an override."
The committee also discusses concerns about student retention and programming. Committee member Dawn Byers questions whether the district is doing enough to prevent dropouts and attract students who might otherwise choose charter schools.
"We're below the state average and we do have a drop out rate of 30 kids in the past 2 years," Byers notes. "I don't understand and I don't know what 30 kids would be doing in Whitman-Hanson that didn't finish high school."
Szymaniak explains that some students counted as dropouts have moved without re-enrolling elsewhere, while others have become disenfranchised with school post-COVID.
The committee also received updates on several other matters:
- The Whitman Middle School Building Committee reports being $15 million under budget on the construction project, with groundbreaking expected in April.
- Student Advisory representatives outlined plans for a spring cleanup on March 21, installation of additional trash barrels along the junior path, and bathroom decoration projects.
- The Regional Agreement Committee continues work on lease language and transportation issues, though a completed agreement won't be ready for this year's town meetings.
- The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved an increase of 225 seats for South Shore Charter School, which will impact the district financially as they pay tuition for local students who attend.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for March 12, with Szymaniak presenting to the Whitman Finance Committee on March 11.