Southampton School Committee Seats Three New Members, Approves FY26 Budget Transfers

SOUTHAMPTON — June 10, 2026 — Southampton School Committee reorganizes with three new members and approves fiscal year 2026 line item transfers. The committee unanimously reelected Jen Johnson as chair and Dylan Motley as vice chair at the June 10 meeting, and seated newcomers Michelle DeRocher, Ashley Stone, and Kate Savarese, distributing liaison roles across Hampshire Regional, the PTO, the Collaborative for Educational Services, and the School Council. Business Administrator Dawn Schiaparotti reported an approved FY26 gross budget of $6,622,719, with a town contribution target of $5,859,582; the committee voted by roll call to authorize line item transfers of roughly $42,000, drawing on unspent math and reading interventionist funds to cover substitute, fuel, and retirement sick-buyback overages. A dramatic swing in out-of-district special education tuition — from a budgeted $494,000 to a projected $190,000 — absorbed most overages, but Schiaparotti warned the district will not have that buffer in FY27 and flagged a vacant payroll specialist position that is drawing candidates at $20,000 above the budgeted salary. Superintendent Vito Perrone presented an annual evaluation rated proficient to exemplary across all four state standards, citing communication improvements with the school committee as his primary goal for the coming year.