Select Board approves school funding MOU 2-1

Select Board · Meeting of August 17, 2026

Marshfield Select Board split 2-1 on a school funding pact tied to its no-override pledge. Chair Rick Smith's memorandum of understanding locks in a 68.5 percent revenue share for Marshfield Public Schools, while Vice Chair Eric Kelley cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he would not "vote to hand out any monies" without "a complete review of their budget, line items, and the way they operate." Kelley also tied the dispute to School Committee Chair Sean Costello and a recall effort against him. Separately, the board approved the $530,000 purchase of 235 Main Street, pending Community Preservation Committee and Special Town Meeting approval, and set the October 19 Special Town Meeting warrant to open August 26.

The board opened the meeting honoring Fire Captain Bill Shields, who died unexpectedly over the weekend after more than 20 years of service.

In the full story:

• Tribute to Fire Captain Bill Shields and Response to Recent Deaths
• Town Administrator's First Report
• Public Comment: Fire Staffing, a Housing Authority Seal, and Written Questions on Town Finances
• Executive Session: Litigation, Real Estate, Bargaining and an Open Meeting Law Complaint
• Special Town Meeting Warrant Set for October 19
• Purchase and Sale Agreement for 235 Main Street
• No New Override Pledge: School Revenue-Sharing MOU Passes 2-1
• Setting Expectations for the New Town Administrator
• DPW Memorandum and E-Bike Safety Policy Delayed
• Routine Licenses, Permits and Donations
• Select Board Liaison Assignments
• Marshfield Fair Common Victualer Applications
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,902 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.