Lexington’s School Committee will continue planning for the fiscal year 2028 school budget Tuesday, Oct. 13, with budget guidelines, union agreements and an update on the proposed Alpha School on its agenda.

The hybrid meeting runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the School Administration Building, 173 Bedford St. Residents can attend in person or use the virtual meeting link on the town’s calendar.

The committee agenda lists discussion and a possible vote on FY28 Budget Guidelines and Calendar, using the FY27 guidelines as a reference.

Earlier that afternoon, the Finance Subcommittee meets from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the same address. Its agenda includes the budget guidelines, a first-quarter budget report, an accountant’s report on FY24 end-of-year results and Chapter 70 state funding figures.

FY28 planning was also scheduled for the subcommittee’s Sept. 15 meeting, according to an earlier Lexington-Concord Courier report.

Alpha School review continues

The full committee will hear a process update on Alpha School’s request to open at 92 Hayden Ave. The agenda does not list an approval vote.

The Texas-based private school presented to the committee June 16. Its model combines two hours of AI-based academics each morning with afternoon life-skills workshops.

Superintendent Julie Hackett is leading a review of the proposal. In the Lexington Observer’s Sept. 25 coverage, she said a committee vote was unlikely until December.

Alpha’s Lexington website says the proposed campus has not received approval, is not open and is not enrolling students. The page lists tuition at $65,000 annually.

Massachusetts requires local School Committee approval for private schools serving children of compulsory school age. DESE’s guidance explains that committees evaluate whether instruction meets the statutory standard for thoroughness, efficiency and student progress.

Union agreements and enrollment

The committee is also scheduled to vote on two supervision and evaluation memoranda of agreement: one involving LEA and ALA and another involving Unit C. The agenda does not detail their terms.

Other items include an Oct. 1 enrollment update, a high school building project update and discussion of AI technology strategic goals. The consent agenda includes a payroll warrant totaling $5,138,372.70.

The meeting will continue the district’s budget preparations while providing an update on the separate review of Alpha’s proposed private-school campus.