Maynard School Committee cuts override ask to $875,000 across two years

MAYNARD — April 10, 2025 — Maynard School Committee scales back override request to two-year, $875,000 bid. Voting 4-1 at its April 10 meeting, the committee amended its prior $1.1 million single-year recommendation to a split ask of $650,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $225,000 for fiscal year 2027. Chair Natasha Rivera, who joined remotely, led the push for the change after a public forum earlier that week surfaced voter anxiety over national economic conditions, saying, "We are completely understanding and supportive of that." Superintendent Brian Hoss presented a budget chart showing that even at $650,000 the district must eliminate several positions, far fewer than the 11 cuts projected under a failed override. Member Hillary Donahue voted no both times, arguing voters would simply add the two figures together and react to the $875,000 total. The $650,000 question alone translates to approximately $152 per year for a home at the town's average assessed value of $543,324. The committee also authorized Rivera to draft formal recommendation language for the Select Board, which votes Tuesday, April 15, to set the Annual Town Meeting warrant; the special ballot election is confirmed for May 27.