[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6253056,"mediaKeyId","3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805","parentId",3183316,"title","Superintendent presents $85 million FY26 draft budget; School Committee votes 7-0 to publish for public hearing","audioSeconds",4050,"startMs",4766000,"endMs",8816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805&start=4766&end=8816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805/thumbnail_4766000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253056/Massachusetts/Superintendent-presents-85-million-FY26-draft-budget-School-Committee-votes-7-0-to-publish-for-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253056-f138bfe4b6024bd35fc5bc8a99ff41ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426130&Signature=dIIECDiOQzXW~o1prgCyKwKtzwiKKnSN5PqTZiO5l-qOCKnjCj2qIi0S8Lwy0dZk~vJYvfVnBhnuxtNArFVUZR3rebe53vu6AHKYlGFZKmTjtlWTHlYEFyWjUq1FRDIQxgqNrKVyGZZk635qQN7DewNnDMXIxVYe2snPzXG59a0FXd2QmkPc2jQ3hmA79HEjn7wTAUvnWEPSr4F1a416vvED0yyUuYLxYj2~8BbJ7fdLdaAI3YSZg6GjOoJYmJZDjV-ju3xdaffeNkxqqj4ivouryBonvEsi5RlITFQqWSBhcJSEmzyo-D4moeKnBmnc5XSwVYh9k8GIxt6~roYLUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beverly Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-03T00:34:53.917Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Sue Chorochak presented Beverly Public Schools’ draft FY26 appropriated budget to the School Committee of the Whole April 30 and asked the committee to publish the budget book ahead of the public hearing. The Committee voted 7-0 to publish the draft for public review.

Chorochak said the draft budget reflects a requested city contribution of roughly $69,000,007 and a proposed Chapter 70 state aid figure of about $15,000,007, yielding a total draft appropriated budget of roughly $85,000,004. She described the request as a 9 percent increase over FY25 that is driven largely by personnel costs, benefits, and the need to sustain service levels after pandemic‑era staffing and ESSER investments.

Key elements in the draft budget presented to the committee:
- Staffing and vacancy management: the district has roughly 13.1 vacant FTEs and is accounting for retirements and attrition; Chorochak said many proposed reductions come from attrition or currently vacant positions rather than active layoffs.
- Central office reorganization: with anticipated retirements in central office leadership, the draft reduces one central office FTE and redistributes responsibilities among remaining leaders.
- Reallocation to interventions: the district plans to shift some elementary coaching positions into intervention roles to strengthen MTSS and academic supports in buildings.
- Elementary libraries: the draft includes a $69,000 set‑aside to evaluate options for K–8 library support after an upcoming mid‑year librarian retirement.
- Benefits and other costs: the “other instruction” cost center includes a 10 percent health insurance increase (approximately $1.1 million) and a $500,000 lane‑change reserve for anticipated teacher lane adjustments.
- Special education and preschool: the budget continues offsets from circuit breaker, grants and revolving funds; the draft adds a coaching‑style position to support staff in AIM/ATTAIN self‑contained programs and proposes staffing changes for the preschool program (including an added therapeutic support position) while noting rolling admissions.

Chorochak and finance staff (Emma and Finance Director Pamela Puglisi were present) walked committee members through building‑level changes, offsets from building revolving funds and grant sources, and the district’s approach to preserving service levels while matching staffing to projected enrollment.

Committee members asked about downside risk if state Chapter 70 aid is lower than the House ways and means number the district used. Chorochak acknowledged that final Chapter 70 numbers will not be set until June and said the district maintains contingency plans; members pressed staff to be ready to present adjustments if state or federal funding changes.

The Committee voted 7-0 to publish the draft budget book and to schedule a public hearing; Chorochak said the budget publication will precede the public hearing and the formal committee vote on an appropriation after public comment and any necessary revisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee: Finance & Facilities/Committee of the Whole Mtg 04/30/2025 (hybrid with captions)","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Sue Chorochak presented a FY26 draft appropriated budget totaling about $85,000,004 and asked the Committee of the Whole to publish the budget book for public review; the School Committee voted 7-0 to publish and schedule a public hearing.","taxTitle","Beverly Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71053,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253061,"Athletic director reports low swim participation, coaches stipend revisions and co‑op arrangements",485,734000,1219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805&start=734&end=1219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805/thumbnail_734000.jpg","/articles/6253061/Massachusetts/Athletic-director-reports-low-swim-participation-coaches-stipend-revisions-and-coop-arrangements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253061-e8a3ceaf8ff5ba1c939951926a10ef80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426130&Signature=o6c7zkWT3DHINSweWx-VOPs2c-IBNr6VvFDNoUN7Rlraj1ol98bf6XIUfUXSemI6DDLXy6EqunHfB7Z2sOvDnLNHVS0RnP-WBCUb9S45PqO7hGbSDycv8n9aJtdEf73geizMw9wdu8VCrXD~RwIz2zq~KPgliiTVacrh~RbDX2SoT6j9cg56MfzBYzU22i9VcCi~whUADQSbNEYYaNJrjTI9TtnTImxhTY5lzke~Je-C5TSbEwW1tDjyjDV7PFjRySyRwsYiCZiQfPUDOc2css3ClBxPSmkE4Mdbxd27bVDn-EJCNFKQHeJ8YCeVxGRo6pojQXGiL~-4HxEjg2IQ6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Wood, Beverly Public Schools’ athletic director, updated the Finance & Facilities committee April 30 on participation, coaches’ stipends and program trends across fall, winter and spring seasons.

Wood described a recent effort to standardize coaching stipends by tiering sports into levels (Tier 1–4) so stipends are more uniform across the district. He said the stipend structure was reviewed against other districts and intended to equalize compensation by sport and by program size.

On participation data, Wood told members the district had very low participation in swim this year — “our swimming, where we have 5 students” — and said the team co‑operated with Gloucester High School this season so Beverly swimmers could join that program and access pool time at the Gloucester YMCA and Gordon College. He said low swim participation partly stems from club programs that schedule their seasons concurrent with the high school season, which reduces available athletes.

Committee members asked whether a waiver could allow eighth graders to compete for the high school. Wood said district leaders had used an eighth‑grade waiver previously and that waivers are filed on a per‑sport basis; he said a waiver for swim could be filed if there is interest.

Wood also described how larger programs (football, for example) typically receive assistant coach allocations based on registration and program size; he said football currently has about eight total coaches and boys lacrosse had a head coach, assistant coach and two volunteers this season.

Members and staff discussed outreach to middle school and homeschool families, coordination with youth and club programs so school teams do not “cannibalize” feeder programs, and continuing to use co‑op arrangements to sustain programs with few participants. Wood said co‑ops and waivers are tools the department uses to keep teams viable when local registration is low.

No formal vote was taken on participation or staffing at the meeting; the athletic department will continue outreach, consider waivers as appropriate and use coop arrangements to sustain low‑participation sports.","Athletic Director Ryan Wood told the Finance & Facilities committee the district faces low participation in swimming (five students registered), uses co‑op arrangements with neighboring districts and has revised stipend tiers to standardize pay across sports.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253065,"Interim facilities director outlines LED lighting upgrades, estimated savings and summer custodial plans",546,209000,755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805&start=209&end=755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805/thumbnail_209000.jpg","/articles/6253065/Massachusetts/Interim-facilities-director-outlines-LED-lighting-upgrades-estimated-savings-and-summer-custodial-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253065-946a6e354a9bad2456db0caadc360023/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426130&Signature=o8qgT5JLC3O24Jm8n9BO7gatHvvjgCB9hinXGk8qXrGfIy4XZAYBx2xQcXzATrEYB-mQh6-lz-8lKXR9VdLKKM4zsIDMLjewilXBnrVlx4o9P~pbfLKE~e1akOFt-6Qfg7XwM1k98DQPXF7hobgRJaBcacLMtioctwbRKPuViR6AIwEoAfE42uF2VoqsxzG0PXXdwURz1Pyf34TuEWmRFkIoz9BstWaFhBDcAoGomF9sibIXIJVaEA3kcFxJDKmVqEBIyRxMjjEtzjrwZAj2P1zgf~JeGAqz9qwtdJEH6ZgVssDcfZ6ObBg0fySSnKMrTKhmdhLU0SJgywH402W-yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Coffey, the district’s interim facilities lead, updated the Beverly Public Schools Finance & Facilities committee April 30 on building and grounds work completed during the spring break and plans for the summer.

Coffey said crews completed delayed HVAC filter maintenance, repaired stadium bleachers and completed an LED lighting upgrade at seven district schools; the middle school was already LED-compliant. Coffey said the district replaced two‑, three‑ and four‑foot fluorescent fixtures with LED drivers and removed ballasts. He told the committee the district had completed energy assessments with National Grid.

Finance staff and committee members emphasized that the LED work was paid for with existing solar credits and not district operating funds. Committee members asked about expected savings; Coffey said the district expects energy and maintenance savings, “depending on the school, between $10,000 and $20,000.” At the meeting Emma added the average payback period on that investment is “about just shy of four years.”

Committee members asked about other summer priorities and Coffey described the district’s summer custodial program. The program brings students and part‑time staff into schools during summer to clear rooms and help custodial crews with heavy lifting ahead of waxing and carpet work. Coffey said the program has produced successful hires in the past — “I have a custodian who’s been here 15 years who came from that program” — and that the district plans to run the program on a smaller scale next summer to stay within budget.

Funding for the summer custodial program will come partly from the district’s appropriated budget and partly from supplemental grants such as the First Jobs program and the district’s partnerships with workforce programs (for example the ATTAIN program). Coffey said the ATTAIN program participants work roughly 20 hours per week and the program has been a “great way to vet custodians.”

Coffey’s presentation and staff answers to committee questions described routine and capital maintenance completed in April and set expectations for summer projects, energy savings and a modest, grant‑supplemented summer hiring plan.","Interim facilities director John Coffey reported completed HVAC and lighting work, an LED upgrade at seven schools funded by solar credits with an estimated payback of just under four years, and plans for a summer custodial program that doubles as a recruiting pipeline.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253071,"Beverly committee approves $5,500 preschool tuition after debate on affordability and equity",1094,2422000,3516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805&start=2422&end=3516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805/thumbnail_2422000.jpg","/articles/6253071/Massachusetts/Beverly-committee-approves-5500-preschool-tuition-after-debate-on-affordability-and-equity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253071-708b81ad669ab7babd088d488b4904f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426130&Signature=Y6xvufagV1ufnmZtoDTckp0X~oqniyEMIGnQxq4ygH3ZNqVUDuQbNC6XBzBL44XULz06QmS14f5ImdxG3TMk4kjeBR4yVSJqNXwsG79UhKTwcgHr3DBzSIkzryY2qMOc-gBPRkAwHAqODoRYeI4zt3PWHAHckNfxcqbGUWzcp4sL30l~Sl16WLOk9EKsoD-LpxgQSYQ4nR0-2nBHQtt-cICL2bkm-luek5JZJktCFtLIiPBu9U0HEzVfVrR3jdLu8VH6QzoC8QMHA0mrktJeeFzc9N-8gCqUxEm5yNf-F1gAceycb2NqE1o8GXPbQpgxd~9bJRxLfyXcQTWr7QJF6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beverly Public Schools’ Finance & Facilities committee voted April 30 to raise annual tuition for peer preschool students (children not on Individualized Education Programs) to $5,500, up from the current rate. The motion passed 4-0.

Assistant Superintendent/staff member Emma (presentation staff) told committee members the district last raised preschool tuition for the 2021–22 school year and that the preschool revolving fund supports preschool teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ salaries and benefits. She said the district offers need-based tuition reductions tied to the free and reduced-price lunch income guidelines and that roughly one-third of peer preschool participants receive tuition reduction.

Emma presented revenue context: for every $500 increase in annual tuition, the district would expect roughly $27,000 in additional collected revenues based on current enrollment trends. She also noted Massachusetts law requires that benefits charged to a revolving fund must include corresponding benefits, and she cited an example cost: a paraprofessional with family health insurance could cost the district roughly $67,000 in FY26 when benefits are counted.

Committee members debated the size and timing of the increase. Dr. Jeffrey Silva recommended a larger increase to $6,000; School Committee member Kimberly Coelho urged caution, noting that some families fall just above scholarship income cutoffs (the so-called “benefits cliff”) and that an immediate, large increase could harm those households. Coelho urged a phased approach to avoid forcing families to choose between preschool and basic household needs.

After discussion, Coelho moved — and Mister Manzo seconded — an amended motion to set preschool tuition at $5,500 and revisit the amount at a future date. The committee approved the amended motion 4-0. Members said the district’s sliding-scale reductions and the existing scholarship process would continue; staff and committee members asked district administrators to monitor take-up and hardship cases.

Discussion and clarifications in the meeting included:
- Tuition reductions are tied to federal free & reduced-price lunch income bands; the district uses tiered reductions (free, 75%, 50%, 25% reductions at various thresholds).
- The preschool program has rolling admission (children enter after their third birthday), so enrolled counts fluctuate during the year; the district currently expects about 80 peer preschool students at the start of the school year.
- The preschool revolving fund supports staff salaries; Emma recommended any fee increase be considered relative to staffing needs and sustainability.

The committee’s action was procedural: it sets the tuition to $5,500 and asks staff to monitor impact and report back. No changes to the district’s tuition-reduction eligibility guidelines were adopted at the meeting.

The Finance & Facilities committee recorded the motion and passed it 4-0; the committee also discussed holding the new fee steady for two years to reduce harm to families if possible.","The Finance & Facilities committee voted 4-0 to raise annual tuition for peer preschool students to $5,500 and will hold the rate for at least two years by agreement of committee members; members stressed the program’s sliding-scale tuition reductions and discussed the impact on families near subsidy cutoffs.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6253076,"School committee committee’s finance panel clears athletic department to sell field advertising, refer proposal to full committee",1796,708000,2504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805&start=708&end=2504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183316-49fa960e5c1a05831834238e238be805/thumbnail_708000.jpg","/articles/6253076/Massachusetts/School-committee-committees-finance-panel-clears-athletic-department-to-sell-field-advertising-refer-proposal-to-full-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253076-52fec3ecf085e7d6cff942d9a6958049/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426130&Signature=ijVY7kwwHrPBSPo2Yqae6zfoj5NnTdIsiitNAol9gbeUVM~wQS6JrwUAhDIIgYPUXwQm5c2eEq6JndS4KmgQX8J8GiykXrtzaOdT0uExQ4emEV0tFrcTNDQezgDEtc4sCx7fJWum8Zkk3fsd~t8xXnAPND-lAt-W106h7cWE~f1HHELj6CMx-YhypYblJqnTQvpKcfuprDtQm5zdZl-B7xfOlL0HWWJt5jAaRlJ1ILjtz16fgntnjLou6y~32y4Z9~K8TKcXje04QSM9cFgxt3GzC1wyJdOdhqQ0aA~3yk0SL7ViW~OKHe7bEWZq2BqCCd-w9P2LAqsl4wTqgMOC1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beverly Public Schools Finance & Facilities committee voted unanimously April 30 to allow the district’s athletic department to solicit and collect revenue from advertising on surfaces surrounding or adjacent to athletic fields and courts, and to deposit proceeds into the athletic revolving fund. The committee voted 4-0 to forward the proposal to the full School Committee for a first reading.

The committee said the plan would focus on temporary signage — such as vinyl or yard signs on field fences — rather than permanent namings. Athletic Director Ryan Wood told the panel that a nearby district’s field renovation and advertising program produced about $30,000 to $35,000 in its first year, a figure he called “peaked my interest.”

Committee members discussed policy, scope and coordination with existing boosters. Chair Rachel Abel said the goal was to authorize solicitation under the existing policy framework and report back to the full committee. Dr. Jeffrey Silva, a School Committee member, said the fundraising could be seasonal and should coordinate with booster activities to avoid duplication.

Wood described likely placements as perimeter fencing and other surfaces adjacent to the sports venues, and emphasized the intent to keep signage “clear, concise, and uniform.” Members and staff noted existing district rules on naming and advertising (policy KHB) and said the committee would outline allowable locations and advertising standards before permanent approvals.

The motion approved by the Finance & Facilities committee said the revenue would be collected by the athletic department and deposited into the athletic revolving fund “for the same use and purpose.” The committee voted 4-0 in favor and will present the matter to the Committee of the Whole at its next meeting.

If the full School Committee approves the change, the athletic department plans a solicitation program scoped to athletic fields and courts; the committee said other surfaces (for example, buses or facilities controlled by third parties) would require separate review and approvals.

Background: the district already runs a limited number of sponsorships for seasonal athletic fundraisers; the new proposal would create a formal solicitation process managed under district policy and centralized through the athletic revolving fund.","The Beverly Public Schools’ Finance & Facilities committee voted 4-0 to allow the athletic department to solicit temporary advertising on surfaces adjacent to athletic fields and courts, with proceeds to go into the district’s athletic revolving fund; the item will go to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent presents $85 million FY26 draft budget; School Committee votes 7-0 to publish for public hearing

Athletic director reports low swim participation, coaches stipend revisions and co‑op arrangements

Interim facilities director outlines LED lighting upgrades, estimated savings and summer custodial plans

Beverly committee approves $5,500 preschool tuition after debate on affordability and equity

School committee committee’s finance panel clears athletic department to sell field advertising, refer proposal to full committee