Pembroke school officials presented a $41,849,729 spending plan for the 2027 fiscal year during a joint session with the Select Board and Advisory Committee on Tuesday. The proposed budget, which restores several frozen positions and adds new elementary support staff, aligns with the $644,654 operating fund increase currently projected by Town Manager Bill Chenard. Superintendent Erin Obey described the district’s state aid outlook as pretty dismal, noting that the $75 per-student Chapter 70 increase remains far below the levels needed to keep pace with rising costs.

To mitigate expenses, the district is prioritizing the creation of an in-house behavioral program at Hobomock Elementary. By hiring a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and specialized teachers, the district aims to keep students within the community rather than paying for out-of-district placements that can cost up to $70,000 in transportation alone. For the 30 students we have out-of-district, there's not a critical mass of need or age where it would make sense to in-house a program, but we always look at that, Obey explained. Keeping kids in our community is the best thing.

The budget also includes a request for shared kindergarten paraprofessionals, a position that was phased out 15 years ago when grant funding expired. Obey argued that current classroom complexities make the roles a need-to-have for managing 22 five-year-olds. Logistically, that's 44 mittens and 44 boots when it's snowing, Obey said. Students are coming in with different skill levels than a decade ago. Other Level 1 priorities include a digital learning specialist for the elementary level and making part-time special education positions full-time to better attract qualified candidates.

Efficiency measures were a highlight of the discussion, specifically a student-led Genius Bar at the high school. Seven students enrolled in a technology elective have successfully repaired 250 Chromebooks, allowing the district to save money by opting out of manufacturer warranties. Chair David Boyle took a moment to introduce the committee’s student representative, Joe Hoven, who was seated in the audience. I take full responsibility for not setting an extra place at the Thanksgiving table, Boyle said. He is our student input, our heart and soul, and tells us what the kids are thinking.

Members of the Advisory Committee requested greater transparency regarding Other line items in building budgets, which showed significant increases due to dues, professional development, and online learning subscriptions. One member asked if these could be teased out in future reports to avoid flags raised by miscellaneous categories. Obey agreed to the change and offered to present multi-year budget comparisons to the Advisory Committee every September to improve long-term tracking.

Member Susan Bollinger noted the improvement in the town's collaborative budget process. The first year I was on the committee, we saw the budget at the same time this group did, and it was difficult because we didn't have time to ask our own questions, Bollinger said. Member Katrina Delaney added that the School Committee itself has only been working with the finalized numbers for a short window. We only went over the budget a week ago, Delaney said.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the future of the historic Hatch building, which has suffered from maintenance issues including a recent pipe burst. While a deed issue makes the property difficult to sell, town officials are exploring potential partnerships. There is an effort to look into renting it out for an educational purpose, like Quincy College, one town official noted, suggesting that if the town joins a regional vocational district, students might eventually help rehabilitate the structure. Obey noted the building's current state of repair: It sticks out now that the community center is so beautiful.