Winthrop School Committee approves $2.25 million in warrants, enters collective bargaining session

WINTHROP -- January 12, 2026, Winthrop School Committee approved nearly $2.25 million in warrants and heard a broad superintendent's update at its first meeting of 2026. The committee voted unanimously to approve a general warrant of $380,676.63 and two payroll warrants totaling $1,867,687.25, with one member abstaining on each payroll item. The superintendent reported district enrollment reached 2,003 students as of October 1, described as the highest in recent years, while neighboring Chelsea, Lynn, and Revere are seeing declines. He flagged growing concern that competitive state grants for FY27, including the 21st Century grant worth roughly $60,000 annually to the district's after-school program, may require Chapter 3A compliance as an eligibility condition, saying communities already applying have been told "not to bother finishing" if non-compliant. The committee also approved a school safety mapping project expected to cost the district nothing after UASI grant reimbursement, and voted to enter executive session on collective bargaining strategy.