Framingham schools vote to submit FY26 budget request to mayor despite $5 million gap

The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to submit its Fiscal Year 2026 budget request to Mayor Charlie Sisitsky after the district reduced its initial ask by about $1.05 million since the previous meeting.

Executive Director of Finance and Operations Lincoln Lynch told the committee the revised request represents a 7.54% increase over FY25 — “just over $13,000,000” — and that the district had cut $1,050,607 in the prior week to lower the ask. Lynch said the city’s target contribution is $8,609,620 and that, if the current request is approved and the city holds to that target, the district will face roughly a $5,000,000 budget gap going into municipal negotiations.

"We are really going to have to make some tough decisions and really look at that, in order to bring our request down," Lynch said, adding that further reductions would likely affect current staffing or programs. He summarized reductions adopted for the packet, including a reconfiguration of the equity department, use of revolving accounts to cover some salaries and transportation costs, scaling back of technology and safety operating funds, and other operating cuts.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tremblay said the calendar and some budget items are the product of negotiation and collaboration with the Framingham Teachers Association and other stakeholders. He urged the committee to consider the adjustments as part of a multi-step process and promised to continue bargaining and community input on longer-term changes.

Committee members pressed for more detail on the remaining gap and possible revenue options. School Committee member Rich Robles (District 1) asked why the gap remained $5 million after the most recent reductions; Lynch explained that an earlier city contribution projection had shifted, lowering the higher-end estimate and leaving the gap at $5 million. Robles also confirmed that several of the April 2 reductions would reduce service levels rather than reflect renegotiated vendor prices.

Mayor Charlie Sisitsky told the committee he and his staff had been meeting with district leaders and that city revenues and state aid projections are uncertain. "We only have a fixed amount of revenue, and we have to set priorities," he said, noting municipal departments also face constraints and that the city might recommend a different number to the council.

Committee members repeatedly asked staff to keep exploring one-time revenue options, grants, and the city’s end-of-year balance (free cash). Lincoln Lynch said the district had already reduced requests across many line items and that further reductions would likely touch personnel or programs.

The committee then approved the motion to submit the FY26 request to the mayor by the April 9 deadline. School Committee member William LaBarge moved the motion; Jen Moshe seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.

Committee members and staff said the district will continue to pursue reductions where feasible, pursue grant and partnership opportunities, and prepare for potential negotiations about program and staffing implications if the city cannot close the remaining gap.

Votes at a glance - Motion to submit the FY26 budget request to the mayor — moved by William LaBarge; seconded by Jen Moshe; outcome: approved unanimously (yes:9, no:0, abstain:0).