Marshfield Athletic Subcommittee Eyes Sub-Varsity Cuts Amid $4.5 Million Budget Gap

MARSHFIELD — June 23, 2026 — Marshfield's Athletic Subcommittee reviewed a sport-by-sport spending report and weighed cutting freshman and JV sports programs as the district faces a budget gap exceeding $4.5 million. Athletic Director Battis presented fiscal year 2025-26 data showing $746,139 in expenditures to date, with a projected full-year total of approximately $820,227 once spring transportation costs are finalized; current user-fee and other revenue stands at roughly $213,000. The subcommittee scrutinized a previously assigned $75,000 savings estimate for eliminating sub-varsity programs, finding the net savings uncertain once lost fee revenue is subtracted — with 96 freshman-only athletes representing an estimated $28,800 in fees that would disappear if those programs are cut. Football at $75,000 and boys hockey at $78,000 were identified as the department's two largest sport-specific costs, with hockey expected to rise as ice rental rates increase. The subcommittee agreed to prepare a three-scenario presentation — covering freshman-only cuts, combined freshman and JV cuts, and fee structure adjustments — for a first read at the July 14 School Committee meeting.