Arlington School Committee Approves France Trip, Waste Policy, Previews $103 Million Budget

ARLINGTON -- February 13, 2025, Arlington School Committee approves France trip, adopts student-authored waste policy, and previews a $103.6 million FY26 budget. The committee voted 7-0 on all major items at its February 13 meeting, including a nine-day student trip to Paris, Strasbourg, and Lyon in April 2027 at a per-student cost exceeding $4,100, with payment plans of up to two years available. Superintendent Dr. Jill Homan presented a budget preview showing a $7,109,424 increase over FY25, driven by enrollment growth at the secondary level and a voter-approved operating override, with 24.9 proposed new full-time equivalent positions totaling $2,352,100 in salary and approximately $204,121 still unallocated. Committee members pressed Homan and budget officer Gorski on whether middle school special education co-teaching additions go far enough, "I worry that we're not going to get it down the road," said committee member Morgan, and on a mismatch between the budget summary document and the district's MUNIS financial system. The committee also disclosed that a federal fellowship grant from the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity supporting principal mentorship had its disbursement frozen by the federal government. Arlington High School student Sophie Shen's school waste reduction and diversion policy, developed over 18 months, was adopted unanimously after the committee waived its standard two-reading procedure.