Milton School Committee approves $73.6M FY26 level-service budget, submits $68.2M non-override plan with wide-ranging cuts; fees and warrants approved

The Milton School Committee on March 5 approved the district's FY26 level-service budget of $73,573,914 and voted to submit a non-override budget of $68,233,608 — a fallback plan the committee described as "worst-case" if voters do not approve an operating override. The committee recorded unanimous votes to approve both the level-service request and the non-override submission.

The votes followed extensive discussion by committee members, district leaders and public commenters about the district's structural deficit and the consequences of failing to gain additional revenue. The district said the level-service request reflects updated accounting of actual FY24 expenditures and includes additions to meet state-mandated services such as increased English-language learner staffing and a revised ELA curriculum. Assistant Superintendent Katie Blake and finance staff presented the budget details and the list of non-override reductions.

The non-override plan lists dozens of proposed cuts and reductions the district says would be required to operate without override funding. Examples discussed in the meeting include eliminating the district family liaison position (estimated savings cited in discussion at roughly $434,000 in…