Peabody schools propose $99.05M FY26 budget; council sends proposal back after public outcry over student‑facing cuts

Superintendent Josh Vedala presented the Peabody Public Schools’ proposed fiscal 2026 budget on June 17, asking the finance committee to approve a $99,050,552 operating budget after a series of reductions and partial restorations the school committee approved in May.

Nut graf: The proposed school budget, which Vedala said is balanced after a mix of offsets and reinstatements, includes reductions that school leaders and many public commenters said would cut student‑facing positions (teachers, paraprofessionals and specialized supports). Parents, teachers and advocacy groups urged the city council to reject or send the budget back for revision; the council voted unanimously to return the school proposal to the School Committee for further work.

What the district proposed Vedala described the path from a level‑service estimate of roughly $104 million to the amended $99,050,552 proposal. He said the initial level‑service pressure came from a $2.5 million increase in school health insurance costs, roughly $800,000 in higher anticipated out‑of‑district special…