Plympton School Committee Opens Budget Season Early After $100,000 in Prior Cuts

PLYMPTON — September 23, 2024 — Plympton School Committee launched its fiscal year 2026 budget process at its September 23 meeting, months ahead of the traditional January timeline. Chair Jason Fraser convened the discussion after the district was required to cut approximately $100,000 from its current-year budget, eliminating a full-time special education aide and a part-time math interventionist. Director of Finance Sarah Pease confirmed the Dennett budget is currently in the black but flagged $1,200.90 in unpaid prior-year bills that will require town meeting approval to settle. The committee unanimously accepted a $10,000 anonymous donation to the school, with Principal Peter Veneto noting the donor said simply, "you know what needs to be done." Enrollment at the Dennett stands at a record 249 students, up from a low of 198 in recent years, with eight English Language Learner students — a count that could justify hiring a new ELL teacher. A joint financial briefing with administrators from all three Silver Lake member towns is tentatively scheduled for December 12 at Kingston Town Hall.