Milton school finance panel defers vote on largest community schools fee hike in years

School Committee · Meeting of March 4, 2026

Milton's School Committee Finance Subcommittee deferred a vote on the largest proposed fee increases in Community Schools' recent history, with after-school rates set to climb roughly 30 percent to $8.87 per hour and early school rates rising roughly 50 percent to $6.83 per hour for the coming school year. Community Schools Director Martha and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Katie told the panel the program's revolving fund, entirely separate from the school operating budget, is running a current-year deficit covered only by dwindling reserves, with a longer-term goal of reaching $10 per hour for both programs by 2027-28. Proposed changes also include aligning vacation camp rates with the recently approved summer camp rate of $11.73 per hour, reducing the sibling discount from 30 to 20 percent, and switching the registration fee from a per-family to a per-child charge.

The subcommittee postponed action after a member arrived late and asked to review the full presentation before voting; a rescheduled vote is expected the week of March 10, with a full School Committee budget forum and Warrant Committee presentation both set for March 17. One member noted that even at the proposed rate, Milton's after-school program would still rank only third-highest among comparable regional programs surveyed.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of March 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.