HWRSD Budget Request & Override Information
This budget request reflects both a steep rise in operational costs and a significant cut in staff and some materials, all in an effort to maintain the high-quality schools our community expects and deserves.
FY27 Budget and Annual Report
Override Facts
How much is the override?
The total override is $1,779,094. The school department's share of the override amount is $1.079M in Hamilton and $438K in Wenham.
Has the District already made cuts to try to avoid an override?
Yes. To date, we have reduced our original assessment by $1.3 million dollars. This reduction includes 7.0 full-time staff positions. Other reductions include scaling down the District's contribution to the Athletic User Fees and delaying technology updates. These decisions were not made lightly.
Why are costs rising?
The main drivers of increased costs are personnel costs, health insurance costs, the price of maintenance supplies and projects, transportation increases, and an increase in long-term substitutes.
Looking toward the future
Public meetings and workshop results have made it clear that the district needs to invest more in facility maintenance:
Routine and Unanticipated Maintenance
Investing in this area will help us reach our goals of maintaining and improving smaller schools, making repairs, and meeting requirements.
Safety Upgrades
Insufficient operational security systems across the district put the security of our students, staff, and facilities at risk. Upgrades would include improved alarm systems and security vestibules at the elementary and high schools.
What is a Prop 2 ½ Override?
An override is a permanent increase to the base budget that allows a school district or town to raise additional revenue beyond the limits of Proposition 2½. Unlike a debt exclusion, an override is used to fund ongoing operating expenses, such as staffing, programs, and services, and remains in place year after year.
Under Proposition 2½, a community’s total property tax levy can typically only increase by 2.5% annually, regardless of rising costs. In practice, this growth rate often fails to keep pace with inflation, contractual obligations, or the rising costs of education (such as transportation, utilities, and specialized services). As a result, funding from towns may not be sufficient to sustain existing school programs and services over time without an override.
Funding schools to be proud of!
Our District has an outstanding reputation. Over the past year, we've asked for feedback via surveys, community forums, and parent group meetings. Here are some aspects of our schools that we hear are important to you, and that we want to continue to fund:
Excellent Staff
Our teachers and staff consistently receive high marks for subject matter expertise and varied instructional strategies.
Quality Materials & Curriculum
Most parents believe Pre-K through grade 12 curriculum successfully prepares students for future career opportunities and continued education after graduation. The community also agrees that technology is effectively integrated in order to help students advance their skill levels.
A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
MTSS is a framework for how school districts can build the necessary systems to ensure that each and every student receives a high-quality educational experience. It is designed to support students with proactively identifying and addressing the strengths and needs of all students by optimizing data-driven decision-making, progress monitoring, and the use of evidence-based supports and strategies with increasing intensity to sustain student growth.
Small Class Sizes
Small class sizes help students feel safe and welcome and give them the opportunity to get the attention they need to learn.
School Community Safety
The district is largely viewed as welcoming to all families, and parents report a high sense of physical safety and acceptance by staff.