Kingston school administrators presented the School Committee on Dec. 1 with a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget totaling approximately $16.35 million after offsets—a 4.82% increase over the current year. If the town limits funding to 2.5%, three teaching positions would be eliminated and class sizes would grow districtwide.
Superintendent Jill Proulx and Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Hickey delivered the district’s earliest-ever budget presentation, responding to pressure from town officials pushing for greater transparency and adherence to a local bylaw requiring preliminary reviews by November.
“This is the earliest we’ve ever reviewed the budget,” noted School Committee member Jeanne Coleman during the meeting. The early presentation comes as the town grapples with competing budget demands across municipal departments and seeks to avoid override scenarios.
The level services budget, which maintains current staffing and programming, would total $17,188,080 before offsets. After accounting for estimated circuit breaker reimbursements at 70%, special education transportation reimbursement at 50%, and other offsets, the net budget request comes to $16,349,160—a 4.82% increase over FY26.
Administrators also presented two alternative scenarios illustrating difficult choices ahead. A 2.5% increase—described by Hickey as “a middle of the road number as a target for something that might be votable”—would require $362,436 in cuts: two full-time teachers at Kingston Elementary School, one at Kingston Intermediate School, one paraprofessional, $83,000 in curriculum spending, and roughly $14,000 in technology supplies.
The impact on students would be immediate and measurable. Under the 2.5% scenario, class sizes at KES in grades one and two would increase, while KIS would see larger sixth-grade classes as a planned staffing shift from third grade—where enrollment is declining—would be eliminated rather than reassigned.
A level-funded budget would prove far more severe, requiring $752,356 in cuts and an additional 4.7 full-time equivalent teaching positions eliminated. Average class sizes would reach 23-24 students in kindergarten, 21-23 in elementary grades, and as high as 25-26 in sixth grade.
“I’m never a fan of level funding ever,” said committee member Sheila Vaughn. “I will never vote level funding ever in my lifetime on this committee.”
Despite having language prepared should the committee wish to take a vote, Coleman urged restraint. “I don’t recommend that we vote any budget tonight,” she said. “These are numbers that we can present to the town in good faith… I actually think we’re in a much better position than we might have felt like we would have been at a year ago. These numbers don’t scare me looking at them as first draft.”
Coleman noted that for the first time in four or five years, the schools are presenting an initial budget under 5%. “I think for a first draft this is better news than I think expected, and I think it’ll give the town something to work with,” she said. Chair Megan Cannon agreed: “This is better than we expected.”
Administrators cautioned that the budget figures remain estimates. Preliminary circuit breaker reimbursement rates, Chapter 70 aid, and kindergarten enrollment numbers will not be finalized until later in the budget cycle. Current kindergarten projections show 161 students built into the budget, though actual registrations may vary.
Cannon reported that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has warned Kingston that late submission of end-of-year financial reports could result in withholding of second-quarter circuit breaker payments and potentially Chapter 70 funds. “Sarah [Hickey] is working diligently on getting these end-of-year reports done, and we are hopeful that we can get everything in, in enough time to not have that outcome,” she said.
Both building principals outlined extensive capital needs requiring future warrant article approvals. At Kingston Elementary School, Principal Dr. Kerri Whipple identified the building’s aging chiller as a top priority, particularly since KES hosts Extended School Year programming. An elevator hydraulic upgrade estimated at $55,000 is required for inspection compliance, and larger capacity generators are needed after power outages revealed significant portions of the building lack backup power.
At Kingston Intermediate School, Principal Andrew Materna reported that previously approved capital projects are awaiting bids before new requests can proceed. Future needs include a hydrotank, HVAC repairs, air duct cleaning, and generator replacement. The KIS roof continues to require ongoing patching, with members noting that a full replacement will likely be needed within years.
Coleman thanked voters for approving a temporary override to replace 11% of the KES roof. “That’s going to pay dividends that we’re not going to be paying for patchwork for something that needed to be done,” she said.
PTO President Barbara Gildea reported that the annual “Fund the Fund” campaign raised over $21,000 for field trips and programming. The PTO also distributed $7,000 in teacher mini-grants plus approximately $70,000 in classroom supplies and reimbursements.
Cannon recognized Jeanne Coleman, who received an Outstanding Member Award at the Massachusetts Association of School Committees annual convention. Coleman is in her ninth year on the Kingston School Committee and also serves on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee.