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Methuen residents urge council to fully fund schools and avoid teacher layoffs at budget hearing
Summary
At a June 16 public hearing on the FY2026 municipal budget, residents, teachers and union representatives urged the Methuen City Council to prevent teacher layoffs, use available funds and prioritize education funding to protect class sizes and student supports.
Methuen residents and educators used a June 16 public hearing to press the Methuen City Council to fully fund the FY2026 school budget and avoid teacher layoffs.
The appeals came during a municipal budget public hearing at the Great Hall, 41 Pleasant Street, where dozens of speakers described classrooms they say will be harmed by staffing cuts. "We shouldn't be choosing layoffs for those who care and shape our future," resident Sean Drew told the council, calling teacher cuts "awful" and urging councilors to "be transparent, show your work." Drew spoke during the public comment period, which the council extended to accommodate speakers.
Parents, current and former teachers, and union representatives described the classroom and community…
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