Budget transparency will be the top priority for Lynnfield Public Schools, acting Superintendent of Schools Thomas Geary said in the town’s Finance Committee meeting earlier this year.
“I think there is a bit of a concern justifiably so about that and all of the changes we have had,” Geary said. “We have to balance a budget with growing and improving the schools. But I get it in the areas of openness, credibility, trust, and transparency. It is my job right now to take that on and do whatever it takes to regain trust in the process.”
Parents, teachers, and residents have been concerned about budget transparency for the past six months. Superintendent Kristen Vogel, who is currently on indefinite medical leave, authorized budget cuts throughout FY24 and FY25 that impacted multiple teaching positions and jobs of the support staff at LPS.
“I am perplexed by the lack of transparency this board provides regarding the school budget,” Lynnfield resident Ellen Crawford said in a School Committee meeting in November. “We as taxpayers are asked at each Town Meeting to accept the budget we have, yet we have no idea how or where our money is being spent.”
Geary addressed the town’s concerns regarding the budget in the FINCOM meeting, promising change and improved transparency.
“I want to affirm that everybody is going to be involved,” he said. “I want to communicate and make the parents feel heard, and you’ll see it going forward through the process. I am desperate to get back to the way we were a couple of years ago. And I think we could find a path to doing that.”
Finance Committee Chair Chris Mattia appreciated Geary’s efforts as acting superintendent and said that the town is thankful to him for taking on Vogel’s job.
“I think this year will be more in-depth and getting back to that line item budget view,” Mattia said. “Those of us who sit on the School Subcommittee are looking forward to working with you as we always do. We understand that we can’t control all of it, but seeing where it goes will be critical this year.”
