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School committee adopts $305.03 million FY26 budget after debate over city MOU and state aid adjustments
Summary
The Lawrence Public Schools committee approved an amended FY26 budget of $305,026,144 after staff explained changes tied to a revised cherry sheet, charter tuition adjustments and municipal cost calculations from a 2013 MOU with the city; board members pressed for clearer itemization and audit reconciliation.
The Lawrence Public Schools School Committee voted to adopt the amended fiscal year 2026 appropriation of $305,026,144 after staff outlined changes to state aid estimates and municipal cost calculations.
"Adjustments to the charter tuition changed that amount, decreased that amount by $1,856,886," said Jason Cabrera, presenting the budget amendment and explaining that the district updated its figures after receiving the revised cherry sheet from the state. Cabrera said municipal-related costs increased by $1,485,707 based on calculations in the district's memorandum of understanding with the city dated June 2013.
Board members pressed administration for transparency and itemization. Member referenced a chart Cabrera displayed and asked for an itemized breakdown of charges the city includes under the MOU. "I would love that to be a priority for next year," a board member said, adding that the district should reconcile the MOU line items with auditors.
Superintendent and finance staff described additional adjustments: reductions in transportation estimates tied to contract negotiations, a $350,000 lease commitment from the city to meet its minimum contribution, and line-item cuts including a $966,000 reduction to extra-duty budgets. Cabrera described transportation changes of about $1,034,000 and said negotiations produced a revised multi-year proposal with lower increases compared with an initial 10% request.
Board members and administration discussed a DESE review of net school spending that, according to the superintendent, identified roughly a $7,000,000 gap in public school dollars in prior years that the district is working to reconcile with the city. The superintendent said staff will compile calculations to present in future budget-season meetings and to the city council.
The board voted by roll call to approve the amended budget. During the meeting the chair also called and passed separate roll-call motions to approve memoranda of understanding with SEIU Local 888 and with the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/SEIU related to cafeteria staff; both labor agreements were described as recommended by administration and were approved by the committee.
The administration said the adopted budget preserves staff positions and does not require layoffs; transportation and contract negotiations remain a point of attention going into the fiscal year.
