New Bedford School Committee approves $267.06 million FY26 budget over mayors objection

The New Bedford School Committee voted Tuesday to approve the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, adopting a net school spending requirement of $249,987,821 and a total operating budget of $267,059,472.

Superintendent Andrew O'Leary presented the budget overview and called the FY26 plan a continuation of investments made since the Student Opportunity Act implementation. "We are close to the end of the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act," O'Leary said during the presentation, describing how the district's operating budget grew from about $192 million in FY22 to the proposed $267 million for FY26.

The committee heard a detailed revenue briefing from school finance staffer Mr. Flynn, who reviewed state aid, chapter 78 receipts, and required assessments that factor into the district's foundation and net school spending calculations. Flynn said state chapter 78 figures left the district with an estimated foundation budget and that the state's required net school spending calculation and city contribution produced the $295,054,095 figure used to set the minimum requirement.

Committee members then voted on three separate motions: approval of the net school spending figure, approval of the non-net-school (ineligible) spending of $17,071,651, and final approval of the combined FY26 budget. All three motions passed. The vote on the net school spending figure and the total FY26 budget was 6 in favor and 1 opposed; Mayor John Mitchell cast the lone no vote. The roll call recorded yes votes from Ross Grama, Christopher Carter, Jack Livimento, Bruce Olivera, Colleen Dowiecki and Melissa Costa.

Budget documents presented to the committee break the FY26 plan into net-school-eligible operating categories and ineligible costs such as transportation. The administration said instruction accounts for roughly 65% of the net-school spending figure, with salary and wages comprising about 63% of the entire proposed operating budget. The district estimated a projected payroll-side surplus during the year-end projections but said planned transfers would cover projected deficits in outsourced special-education (ABA) services.

After the budget presentation the committee closed the public hearing and returned to regular business. Finance staffer David told the committee the district would reconcile city and school department numbers once the city's final figures are available, and noted the committee typically finalizes details after the municipal budget is adopted. "We will have an opportunity to reconcile the city's and the school department's numbers soon enough," David said.

The committee approved the FY26 net school spending amount of $249,987,821, the district's non-net spending of $17,071,651, and the combined total budget of $267,059,472. The committee will proceed to implement the budget subject to routine administrative reconciliation with city financial offices.