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.