The Springfield School Committee reviewed the superintendent’s proposed FY26 budget calendar and the district’s public budget survey, voted to forward the calendar to the full committee, and discussed outreach to increase survey participation.

Chief Finance Officer Pat Roche presented the FY26 calendar and described only minor changes from prior years: the public input session is scheduled for March 5 at Putnam High School, school-committee priorities are due March 14, a summary of significant changes is scheduled for April 4, the superintendent’s recommended budget will be presented to the subcommittee on April 8, and the budget hearing is scheduled for April 30 with formal votes in early May. Roche said the meeting calendar largely mirrors the district’s recent practice and that the district would host more meetings at Putnam High School to increase public accessibility.

Why it matters: The committee must approve the subcommittee’s calendar to allow outreach and public hearings to proceed on the calendared dates. Committee members asked that calendar dates and locations be circulated to members and posted widely; Chief Roche confirmed the budget survey will be distributed via the district’s digital channels and social media and that the district plans to use community-based organizations to increase responses.

Committee members asked about membership dues and travel items in the committee’s budget request (for example, NSBA and related association dues and annual conference attendance). Members asked staff to collate dues and conference costs under clearer line items and to check for any new-district discounts that may apply for a new superintendent.

On the budget survey, Roche reported historical response counts of roughly 200 respondents with most respondents being district staff; the survey remains open about two weeks. The superintendent said she is building a communication network of community-based organizations to increase outreach and expects a higher response rate this year.

Action: The subcommittee moved and seconded a motion to forward the FY26 calendar and related materials to the full committee for action; roll call recorded Miss Monroe Miller — yes; Miss Hurst — yes; Miss Gresham — yes. The subcommittee’s recommendation will be placed on the full committee agenda for formal consideration and vote.

Next steps: Staff will circulate the calendar and meeting locations, finalize the budget survey language (committee counsel suggested rewording an item that asked respondents to “rank support programs or services” so the list better reflects mixed factors), and confirm association dues and travel line items. The communications office will use district and CBO channels to broaden the survey distribution.

Ending: Committee members said they would revisit the subcommittee’s request at the full committee meeting and monitor community outreach results from the budget survey.