Framingham schools present 10.31% FY26 operating budget request; plan in-house busing and new special-education program

Framingham Public Schools’ executive director of finance and operations, Mr. Lynch, presented an initial FY26 operating budget request that would raise the district’s operating budget by 10.31%, or roughly $17.8 million, and set the total operating budget near $190.4 million if fully funded.

The request, presented to the finance subcommittee, includes a large increase in salary costs—about 78.39% of the budget—and roughly $3.1 million in new position requests. Lynch said the district expects a $6.5 million increase in Chapter 70 state aid after the state released preliminary figures, which he tied to an increase of 233 students in categories that generate incremental funding (special education in-district students, students with limited English proficiency and low-income students), even though overall district enrollment rose by only 11 students.

The budget proposal contains several program and operational changes: the district plans to shift from contracted to in-house busing starting July 1, 2025, by leasing buses and hiring drivers, monitors and support staff; to open an 18–22 year old…