Superintendent Anthony Soto and Executive Director of Finance Sean Mangano presented a recommended budget for the 2025-26 school year to the School Committee on Monday, May 12. The spending plan will now head to the Finance Committee for further review before it is finalized later in June.
The recommended Fiscal 2026 School Department Budget of $124,304,231 represents a spending increase of $6,847,258 (or 5.8%) as compared to the 2024-25 budget.
“This budget places students first and invests in strategies that support all children. It positions the district to weather uncertain fiscal realities anticipated in the coming years,” Superintendent Soto said, noting that it “reflects the values and priorities of our community.”
The majority of recommended spending increases have been allocated to support school operational expenses, as well as to meet rising transportation costs, Mr. Mangano said, noting that there are no major layoffs or programmatic reductions planned for 2025-26. The budget also factors in a number of uncertain variables at this time, he said, including lagging state funding, availability of critical grant funding from the federal government, and Massachusetts’ future economic picture and what happens after the Student Opportunity Act is fully implemented.
The recommended budget includes allocations for a number of strategic investment that are aligned with the district’s strategic plan, including:
Instruction
Social emotional/behavioral supports
Facility improvements
Student and staff safety
Professional development
Inclusionary practices
Family and community engagement
Teacher development and recruitment
Preschool
Extended learning opportunities
“The overall increase in spending aligns with the increase in the district’s general fund revenue due to the Student Opportunity Act and increased local contributions,” Mr. Soto said, “with the great majority of the increased funds invested directly in our schools.”
Additional details about the recommended 2025-26 budget can be found in the
presentation slides shared during the May 12 School Committee meeting
.