Gardner Public Schools projects roughly $474,000 FY2026 shortfall; mayor pledges $300,000 above net school spending

Gardner, Massachusetts — Gardner Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Pellegrino told the Gardner City Council in an informal May 19 presentation that the district faces a FY2026 budget deficit of roughly $474,000 driven by enrollment growth, rising health‑insurance costs and higher out‑of‑district placement expenses.

Dr. Mark Pellegrino, superintendent of Gardner Public Schools, said the district’s enrollment has risen by more than 300 students since 2021 and that the district’s per‑pupil expense is about $18,000. “That’s about a $5,400,000 increase just because of the increases in enrollment,” Pellegrino said.

The mayor, speaking during the presentation, said the city hopes to continue funding above the state’s minimum net school spending and has committed $300,000 above that level for this budget cycle. “We’re on a long term plan to slowly reduce that one‑time money that we’re putting there,” the mayor said, describing an effort to shift away from one‑time funding sources.

Why it matters: The budget presentation ties growth in students with special needs, English‑language learners and low‑income students to immediate staffing and service costs. If the deficit is not closed, the district said it would cut two positions: a maintenance position that had been slated for restoration and a mental‑health…