School committee reviews FY26 adjustments for Articles 1, 4, 5 and 7; substitutes, transportation and paid‑leave cited as drivers

Lewiston Public Schools officials presented proposed adjustments to the district’s FY26 operating budget covering Articles 1, 4, 5 and 7 and described personnel and nonpersonnel drivers that raise costs in the next fiscal year.

The committee reviewed tables showing year‑over‑year increases concentrated in staff compensation, substitute coverage and extended‑day transportation, and staff said a state paid family medical‑leave contribution also increases the district’s employer side of payroll costs. There were no final votes on the budget at the meeting; committee members directed staff to return with more detail at later workshops.

Why it matters: Article 1 covers regular instruction — classroom teachers, instructional staff and other school‑based personnel — and accounts for the largest…