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Select Board backs FY26 budget moves that tap future circuit-breaker funds to close Brookline schools shortfall
Summary
The Select Board approved the fiscal 2026 budget package after Town School Partnership agreed to use $1.2 million of FY27 circuit breaker funds in FY26 and to reallocate $970,000 from CIP contingency to reduce the schools' gap; the board and staff cautioned that this shifts pressure into future budgets.
The Brookline Select Board on April 29 approved the town's fiscal 2026 budget (warrant article 9) after the Town School Partnership reported an agreement to use FY27 circuit breaker funds in FY26 to close an estimated schools gap of roughly $1.18 million.
Chair Bernard Green told the board the Town School Partnership had agreed on a way to close the schools' budget gap but that using next year's circuit breaker funds now will create an obligation to offset the shortfall later, likely as part of an override on the May 2027 ballot if the School Committee does not adopt other measures.
Deputy Town Administrator for Finance Melissa Gough and Town Administrator Chaz presented the budget conditions, including a proposed transfer of $970,000 from a planned CIP allocation (New Lincoln school grounds/design) into a contingency fund to give the schools relief in FY26. Staff described that movement as a way to balance the FY26 budget while leaving the re-appropriation decision for a later town meeting if needed.
Gough said staff also would reflect finalized group-health rates and any benefit savings tied to positions that the School Committee may eliminate during its budget deliberations. The town and the school committee discussed applying FY27 special-education (circuit breaker) money in FY26 to cover needed expenses in the current year; the committee projected about $4.2 million in circuit breaker funds for the coming year and could elect to deploy some of that funding now.
Select Board members emphasized the trade-offs of the approach. Chaz cautioned that using the circuit breaker now reduces funding available in FY27 and would require a future reckoning; members said the board's recommendation was intended to be collaborative with the school committee and advisory committee.
After discussion of contingency placement and conditions of appropriation, the Select Board voted to recommend favorable action on warrant article 9 as presented by the Deputy Town Administrator, with updated tables attached to the article. The motion carried unanimously (all board members present voted yes).
