Superintendent presents three FY26 budget scenarios as committee begins review; special‑education and literacy needs dominate discussion

Superintendent Portia Bonner presented three FY26 budget scenarios to the School Committee on March 13 and explained the district’s planning assumptions, enrollment trends and rising demands for special‑education and reading supports.

Bonner said the district prepared three views: a “strong” budget (a larger‑scope plan that the superintendent described as roughly a 13.2% increase over a stated base), a “level‑service” budget (about a 7.7% increase) and a “city fiscal‑target” budget (a 4% target aligned with the city’s guidance). The superintendent stated a base figure during the presentation (reported in the budget packet as $42,311,142.64) and said all three views used that base as a starting point.

Bonner highlighted several drivers affecting the budget: stagnant state Chapter 70 aid that does not…