BPS expands dual‑language programs, cites 17,192 multilingual learners and $4.5 million in targeted investment

Boston Public Schools told the City Council Ways and Means Committee it is expanding dual‑language classrooms and increasing supports for multilingual learners as part of the FY26 budget process.

The district reported 17,192 multilingual learners in the system and said 4,229 of those students also have disabilities. Leaders described a targeted investment of roughly $4.5 million to expand multilingual programming, with about $1 million directed to startup supports for new programs.

Why it matters: Boston’s multilingual learner population drives staffing, curriculum and family outreach needs. Changes in program coding and staffing affect which schools can offer bilingual instruction and how families can choose language programs close to home.

Key facts from the hearing - Enrollment and student counts: BPS reported 17,192 multilingual learners district‑wide and 4,229 multilingual learners with disabilities. The district also reported 488 students classified as SLIFE (students with limited or interrupted formal education). - Expansion specifics and costs: BPS said it had “about 4 and a half million dollars” in the FY26 budget for expanded multilingual programs; roughly $1 million of that sum will support program startup (coaching, curriculum supports and professional learning). BALA East (an existing program site) will have a $5.5 million line in the budget, up about $725,000 from the prior year. - Coding corrections: David Bloom, CFO, told councilors that roughly “a little bit over a hundred and $20,000,000” is spent on bilingual programs as coded historically, but that some legacy program codes labeled as bilingual were actually English‑only and are being recoded to accurately reflect programming.

District approach and family choice BPS said new dual‑language programs will roll out gradually. The Sarah Roberts School will open a Spanish/English dual‑language program starting with K‑1 sections; Blackstone will start similarly. The district described an intention to staff with certified bilingual teachers and to grow programs year by year so cohorts move together through grades.

Quotes - "We're very excited about the bilingual expansion," Joelle Gamaire, Chief of Multilingual and Multicultural Education. - "We had about 4 and a half million dollars in our budget for expanded multilingual programs. About a million of it is going specifically to the programming you mentioned," Superintendent (unnamed).

Next steps and council questions Councilors pressed for clearer school‑level budget tables and for assurances that new bilingual seats will be sustainable; BPS asked councilors to help publicize new options to families because dual‑language programs require community choice to sustain enrollment. The district said it will provide line‑item clarifications and more detailed enrollment projections on request.