The Duxbury Finance Committee’s review of the FY27 school budget began with a contentious debate over meeting protocol, as members realized the School Committee had not been legally posted for a joint session. Finance Committee Chair Betsy Sullivan defended the schedule, stating, This has been posted since September. Member Theodore J. Flynn looked to move past the procedural friction, asking, As opposed to going back and forth on this, is there something we can accomplish with the school committee and the superintendent tonight? Superintendent Danielle Klingaman explained that while her 4.83 percent recommended budget seeks to restore critical services, the town's current 3 percent placeholder would maintain a state of "crisis mode." The way we are operating right now is not a recommended way to operate a school district, Klingaman warned, describing the strain of losing 18 positions after the previous override failure.

Detailed discussions emerged regarding the $840,000 funding gap between the "balanced" placeholder and the district's actual needs. Committee Member Al Hoban requested a breakdown of the proposed increase, asking, Maybe you could just share with us some of the highlights of what's in that 800 number... so everyone gets some sense for where your head is about what you want this extra money. Klingaman identified the absorption of $400,000 in full-day kindergarten tuition as a top priority. Vice Chair Friend S. Weiler, Sr. supported the move to eliminate these fees, stating, I for one am definitely in favor of pay for full day kindergarten. I think it's long overdue and I'm glad you got that back in the budget. Meanwhile, Committee Member Mark Hokanson questioned the ultimate voting process for the differing figures, asking, So, what are we going to eventually vote on? Is it going to be from the the school committee or from superintendent's office hours?

The committee also addressed the district's long-term capital needs, specifically the $1.75 million feasibility study for the Alden School through the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Committee Member Kathleen Glynn inquired about the timeline for a final decision, asking, What day of the school committee meeting to vote? Committee Member Ashley Maher pointed to the town's structural financial limitations, remarking, Our town has a revenue problem, not a cost problem. Motion Made by Friend S. Weiler, Sr. to approve the minutes of November 6. Vote Passed 7-0. Motion Made by Friend S. Weiler, Sr. to approve the minutes of November 13. Vote Passed 7-0. Motion Made by Friend S. Weiler, Sr. to approve the minutes of November 18 as amended. Vote Passed 6-0-1, with Committee Member Jackson S. Kent., Jr. abstaining, noting, I wasn't here. Motion Made by Mark Hokanson to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.