This week, the Duxbury School Committee formally approved its goals for the 2025-2026 school year, setting a clear direction for our work. I’m particularly excited about our first goal, Ensure Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability Through Strategic Budgeting, because it strengthens the vital partnership between our schools and the community.

Our new goal builds on a strong foundation, creating more opportunities for public engagement and ensuring the budget process is a truly collaborative conversation. The goal’s description says it best: we want to “enhance transparency and foster meaningful public participation” because we know that the best outcomes for our students are achieved when we work together.

To deepen this partnership, we’ve committed to a new, two-phased approach for community engagement.

Phase 1: Before the Vote (Listening and Learning)

Before the School Committee holds its budget hearing and vote on December 10, we will host at least two public engagement sessions. During our goal-setting discussion, I stressed the importance of these initial meetings as listening sessions, designed so that “the public feels empowered to be able to share with us where they think the budget priorities should be”. This is an opportunity for your voice to help shape the budget from the ground up. Your feedback will directly inform our thinking as we weigh the important decisions that lie ahead.

Phase 2: After the Vote (Explaining and Aligning)

Once the budget is voted on in December, our work continues. Between the vote and the Annual Town Meeting, we will conduct a public information campaign that includes at least two public forums to explain the budget we passed. As I mentioned in our meeting, this is where we “make the case” to the town. We will break down the numbers, show how the budget aligns with our district’s strategic priorities, and answer your questions. This is our commitment to ensuring every resident understands the value and the trade-offs behind the final proposal.

Get Involved

A strong community partnership is essential for the success of our schools. These sessions are designed to bring more voices into the process and build a budget that truly reflects our community’s priorities for its students. Please keep an eye out for dates and times for the upcoming forums. Your perspective is critical, and I encourage you to get involved.

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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.