Sandwich Schools Propose $40.8 Million FY26 Budget at 3.13 Percent Increase

SANDWICH — January 8, 2025 — Sandwich schools propose $40.8 million FY26 budget at 3.13 percent above current spending. Superintendent Joe Maruszczak presented the initial proposal at the January 8 School Committee meeting, citing $1,183,620 in salary increases — just under 4 percent — driven by year two of a three-year collective bargaining agreement giving teachers a 3.25 percent cost-of-living adjustment, with no new positions added and nine retirements already filed. The district projects enrollment flat at 2,149 students. Maruszczak noted that neighboring Cape and Islands districts are projecting increases of 7 to 10 percent because they used federal ESSER COVID-relief funds for recurring staffing costs; Sandwich, which received more than $3 million in ESSER money and directed it to capital improvements and non-recurring programs, carries no structural deficit. The committee also took a first reading of new program-of-studies language defining "competency determination" for graduation under the post-ballot-question-2 state law, with a policy subcommittee forum and second reading expected January 15.