School Department FY2027 Budget Request

At a glance

What: the School Department's request for the FY2027 city appropriation and how it would close a projected deficit.
Where it stands: On 2026-09-29 the School Department asked for a 4 percent increase in its city appropriation and projected an FY2027 deficit. The council adopted the overall budget on 2026-10-13; the school line is covered in FY2027 City Budget.
Next: Not known; watch the School Committee, whose meetings were not checked.

Savings options listed in the presentation: non-personnel cuts, staffing reductions, school consolidation, a wage freeze, early retirement and a change to transportation walk distance.
Dollar figures in the draft minutes contain apparent typos and are left out.
Councilor Lawson reported on 9/15 that the school budget had been submitted and that transportation cost was still an issue.

School Committee liaison reported the budget was submitted and transportation cost remained an issue.

School presentation: 4 percent increase requested, deficit projected, savings options listed.

Video: School Committee liaison cited out-of-state special-education placements and transportation as the main cost drivers.