Beverly City Council plans $7.1M school budget increase for next year

Beverly Public Schools is set to see a significant budget boost, with a proposed increase of $7.1 million for the upcoming year, marking over a 9% rise in funding. This follows a previous increase of $5.6 million, which was part of a strategic plan to enhance educational resources and strengthen contracts with educators.

During the recent School Committee meeting, officials highlighted that nearly $5.1 million of the current budget increase comes from city taxpayers, with an additional half a million from state aid. Over the past two years, Beverly Public Schools will have received a total of $12.7 million in additional funding, with $11.5 million sourced from local taxpayers.

The proposed budget, which will be presented to the city council on June 2, aims to allocate $7,576,000 specifically for the education of Beverly children. This funding will also cover projected increases in costs associated with technical education and charter school assessments.

City officials emphasized the importance of this budget increase, countering claims of cuts and negativity surrounding school funding. They noted that the city is projected to generate $7.76 million in new revenues for fiscal year 2026, underscoring the commitment to investing in local education. If approved, this budget will not only support the educational needs of students but also leave $185,000 for other city services.