Ayer-Shirley School Committee Moves March Meeting to Meet Budget Deadline

AYER — March 3, 2026 — Ayer-Shirley School Committee rescheduled its next meeting to March 17 to beat the state's 45-day budget certification deadline. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to move the session from March 18 after administrators warned the original date fell outside the statutory window ahead of town meeting season. Business Administrator Mulligan reported the district's FY26 general fund revenues are tracking on budget, with the capital stabilization fund carrying a $759,000 balance and a projected $100,000 return by year's end; the district carries just under $2 million in annual debt service on two state bonds covering the high school renovation and a field project. ASREA President Zyman told the committee that 80.4 percent of the 93 union members who voted backed an earlier school start — students in August 26, last day June 10 — driven by Labor Day falling as late as September 7; the committee took no calendar vote Tuesday but directed administrators to revise the draft for the March 17 meeting. The committee also unanimously approved a revised middle school pathway exploration policy adding Department of Education-required language on CTE tour absences before adjourning to executive session at 7:20 p.m. for FY27 budget talks.