Methuen community urges school committee to preserve fine-arts staff as FY26 cuts loom

Methuen School Committee members heard more than three hours of public testimony April 16 from parents, students and teachers urging the committee to preserve the district's fine-arts staff and programming as the district develops its preliminary FY26 budget.

Those who spoke said proposed cuts that would eliminate the fine-arts director position and reduce day-time theater classes at Methuen High School threaten school-climate benefits, extracurricular productions and student mental-health supports.

Supporters said the programs provide academic and social benefits and argued the cuts would disproportionately hurt students already at risk of disengagement.

Parents, current and former students, and teachers described the fine-arts director's role as central to coordinating music, art and theater across the district and to arranging performances…