School Committee Newsletter
February 27, 2026
Budget Planning for the 2026–2027 School Year
The School Committee is continuing to review the proposed 2026–2027 school budget and is actively working through revisions with the Superintendent and administrative team. The cost of running our school district increases by around 4.5% per year. Tax revenue from the town that funds the school budget is expected to only increase by around 2%. This is requiring us to evaluate spending and may result in cuts in some areas. We are carefully considering all feedback received by email, during Citizens Queries at School Committee meetings, and during the Public Hearing on February 12th.
We will continue to discuss and refine the budget in the coming weeks, and have a review with the Finance Committee on March 10th and 12th. Once finalized by the boards, the budget will be voted on at Town Meeting in May. You can review the draft budget on the district website.
Enhancing the Feoffees Policy
Each year the school district is fortunate to benefit from the generosity of the Feoffees funds in the form of the Paine Grant and Edmund Traverso–Robert Weatherall Innovation Grants (TWIG) to support Enrichment and Enhancement for Ipswich students. The Feoffees distribution has grown significantly, nearly doubling over the last five years. This year the Feoffees distribution is approximately $1.2M. To enhance how we manage the distribution, the School Committee approved a policy update to establish three categories consistent with the mission of the Feoffees Trust and the Ipswich Public Schools:
William Paine Enhancement Grants (Paine Grants) and Edmund Traverso–Robert Weatherall Innovation Grants (TWIG): These grant programs continue unchanged and are intended to advance enrichment, enhancement, and innovation opportunities.
Ongoing Programmatic Enrichment: Support ongoing enrichment projects that have been repeatedly funded by grants and regularly run in the district, including but not limited to Professional Development and Place Based Learning.
Ongoing Instructional Enrichment: Support ongoing instructional enrichment Programs that provide direct educational experiences to students, including but not limited to Arts, Music, Theatre, STEM, and Athletics. These programs are intended to expand and enhance student learning opportunities beyond foundational core academic requirements.
Elementary School Building Project Update
With the Feasibility Study underway, Ipswich continues its work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to advance the early planning phase of the project. The School Building Committee has been reviewing enrollment projections, confirming district educational priorities, and moving forward with the process to select an Owner’s Project Manager. This stage remains focused on data analysis, alignment with MSBA requirements, and structured community engagement.
All School Building Committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and materials posted in advance on the Town website. The next School Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12th.
Activities and Accomplishments
The School Committee appointed Scott Ames to the ICAM Board of Directors.
The School Committee appointed Grace Garrison, Andrew Bunnell, and Erin Merry to the Paine Grant Committee.
- The School Committee reviewed and approved updates to 16 district policies. The District Policy Manual can be reviewed here.
Upcoming District Events
- Monday, March 2nd - School Committee Meeting - 7 PM in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online
- Thursday, March 5th - School Committee Meeting - 7 PM in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online
- Monday, March 9th - No School, Professional Development Day
- Tuesday, March 10th - Bi-Board Meeting with Finance Committee - 7:30 PM in Town Hall Meeting Room A and online
- Thursday, March 12th - Bi-Board Meeting with Finance Committee - 7:30 PM in Town Hall Meeting Room A and online
- Thursday, March 19th - School Committee Meeting - 7 PM in the Middle/High School Ensemble Room and online
The Ipswich School Committee values input from the community. To contact The Ipswich School Committee, you may speak at “Citizen Queries” towards the beginning of every meeting, or email school_committee@ipsk12.net.
Continue to stay up to date on district events and school committee news by following Ipswich School Committee on Facebook and Instagram.