If you watched the beginning of the November 25th Finance Committee meeting, you saw a bit of a scramble. There was confusion regarding why the Superintendent was there, given that the School Committee has not yet voted on our budget. I expressed surprise that that Dr. Klingaman was on the agenda to present a budget that didn’t officially exist yet.
Well, I stand corrected.
In reviewing our materials, specifically the FY’27 Budget Presentation given to the School Committee earlier this month, the timeline was right there in black and white. Page 9 clearly states: “11.25.25 – School Committee and School Department attend Finance Committee to answer questions about FY’27 Budget.”
I missed it. That is on me. In the flood of data regarding FTEs, circuit breakers, and enrollment shifts, that specific line item didn’t stick in my memory. I apologize to my colleagues on the Finance Committee for that confusion.
However, the false start to the meeting did highlight a critical distinction in how school governance works—a distinction worth clarifying.
While I missed the date, my point regarding the process remains vital to how we function as a government body.
There is a specific legal and procedural sequence to how a school budget becomes real. It isn’t just bureaucratic red tape; it is designed to ensure the community’s elected representatives (the School Committee) have vetted the plan before it goes to the town’s financial reviewers.
Here is the proper Order of Operations:
- Superintendent’s Recommendation: The Superintendent proposes a budget to the School Committee (Management).
- School Committee Review & Vote: We, the elected officials, tear it apart, ask questions, suggest changes, and vote to approve it.
- Presentation to Town: Once voted on, it becomes the School Committee’s Budget. Only then is it formally presented to the Town Manager and the Finance Committee for their review and recommendation to Town Meeting (Governance).
The friction on November 25th came from the fact that we were in Step 1.5. We haven’t voted yet. Therefore, the Superintendent was being asked to defend a budget that is still a draft—one that the School Committee hasn’t yet formally stamped with its approval.
My hesitation was not about transparency, it was about authority. The Superintendent reports to the School Committee. It is our job to debate the budget, finalize the number, and then stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Administration to present that number to the town.
Your Role in the Process
You are the most important part of this sequence. Governance isn’t just about committees talking to other committees, it involves our elected officials listening to the community we represent. Before we take that final vote to stamp the budget “Approved,” I need to hear from you. Your input directly informs my thinking and helps ensure the final numbers reflect Duxbury’s priorities.
We have two critical opportunities coming up:
- School Committee Listening Session: Thursday, December 3rd. This is an informal opportunity for you to ask questions, share concerns, and help us refine our thinking before the final vote.
- Formal Budget Hearing & Vote: Tuesday, December 10th. This is the statutory Public Hearing where we will present consider the final proposal, hear public testimony, and vote to adopt the budget.
Moving forward, you can count on two things from me:
- I will pay closer attention to the “Next Steps” slide in our packets.
- I will continue to fiercely advocate for a governance process that respects the distinct roles of the Administration, the School Committee, and the Town—and one that centers on the voice of the community.
We have a difficult budget cycle ahead of us. It is going to require collaboration, precision, and a healthy respect for the process to get the best outcome for Duxbury’s students and taxpayers.
Note: The views and opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the official policies, positions, or endorsements of the Duxbury School Committee. For official information about Duxbury Public Schools and the Duxbury School Committee, please visit duxbury.k12.ma.us.
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