Concord School Board approves $120.97 million preliminary budget; removes middle‑school SRO and delays DEIJ director hire

The Concord School Board on [date not specified] approved a preliminary fiscal year 2025–26 budget totaling $120,972,153 after three board-level adjustments: removal of funding for a school resource officer (SRO) at the middle school, removal of funding for a director of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) for the coming year, and an added $150,000 for building maintenance.

The vote to approve the preliminary budget was unanimous. Board members approved a motion that set the all‑funds budget at $120,972,153 and a general fund budget of $111,487,137, with total local taxes of $70,499,760 and state taxes of $7,130,812. The administration was authorized to update the motion language and make technical adjustments tied to ongoing contract negotiations.

Why it matters: the board’s changes reduce near‑term staffing costs and increase building maintenance funding while preserving the district’s ability to submit required materials to the state and to revisit the budget later if needed. District staff warned that state and federal funding streams and ongoing labor negotiations could still change the final tax rate and budget numbers.

Board discussion focused for an extended period on the middle school SRO and whether the district should instead rely on restorative practices and grant‑funded social work positions. Board members heard from the middle school principal and from board members on both sides of the question.

Mister Richards, speaking in support of…