Methuen residents urge council to fully fund schools and avoid teacher layoffs at budget hearing

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 effects they expect from layoffs. Kelsey McGonigal, who identified herself as a seventh‑grade teacher who was laid off, said, "My students are incredible in every sense of the word," and described being laid off for a second consecutive year. Teacher Judy Flagg, who said she has taught in Methuen for 22 years, warned that losing experienced staff would push teachers to leave the district: "If we lose people like Kelsey, I don't know why we're here."

Several speakers urged the council to use existing local resources to stabilize the schools. Resident Kevin Kelleher recommended tapping the Castle Fund and other available reserves to prevent layoffs, saying "requesting a portion of that now to prevent school layoffs and stabilize our district isn't reckless. It's responsible." Speakers also cited state funding programs in their remarks: Laurie Jocelyn and others referenced Chapter 70 funding and the Student Opportunity Act when urging sustained investment in schools.

Representatives of the Methuen Education Association asked the council to consider longer‑term funding changes as well as immediate measures. Cara Blatt, speaking with colleagues from the MEA, said educators are "scared" by recurring layoffs and called for a collaborative, transparent process between the city and the school department to develop a sustainable plan.

Speakers gave multiple practical concerns: larger class sizes, reduced access to drama and music, fewer mental‑health supports, and difficulty serving students with individualized education plans. Foster parent and licensed social worker Yasmin Pereira described children who rely on teachers as "lifelines," saying cuts would remove crucial daily supports for vulnerable students.

Councilors did not vote on the municipal budget at the hearing. Instead, the council voted to extend the public hearing twice to allow more speakers to appear; later, the council closed public participation and recessed for five minutes. No formal votes on budget adoption or specific funding reallocations were taken at this meeting.

The public hearing continues as the council and mayor continue budget deliberations; speakers asked for continued public engagement and a transparent decision process going forward.