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Council approves Boston Public Schools FY26 budget amid sharp criticism over student transportation and outcomes
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Summary
The City Council approved the Boston Public Schools FY26 operating budget after debate; two councilors — Aaron Murphy and Julia Mejia — voted against the measure, citing unresolved transportation contractor issues and persistent low academic proficiency for many students.
The Boston City Council voted to approve the Boston Public Schools fiscal-year 2026 operating budget Wednesday after hours of debate that included sharp criticism over student transportation and concerns about academic outcomes.
Councilor Brian Worrell, chair of the committee on Ways and Means, presented the BPS budget and recommended passage. Several councilors praised investments in classrooms, bilingual programs and new positions such as social workers and transformation coaches.
Councilor Aaron Murphy announced he would vote no, citing repeated failures by the district’s contracted transportation vendor, Transdev, to appear before the council and answer questions about safety and service. Murphy said the BPS budget, “which includes over $189,000,000 for our students’ transportation,” cannot be approved while vendor accountability questions remain. “Until the company appears before this council to answer for its failures, I cannot in good conscious support the BPS budget,” he said.
Councilor Julia Mejia also announced a no vote, arguing the district still needs deeper changes and more hearings to address longstanding disparities in student outcomes and facility investments.
Other councilors — including those who represent neighborhoods with high need — said they supported the budget because of targeted investments the superintendent and BPS leadership proposed, including dollars for inclusive-education planning, classrooms, bilingual services and a reserve for future school needs.
The council conducted a roll-call vote; the BPS operating budget (docket 0823) passed with 11 votes in favor and two votes recorded as no.
