Superintendent presents FY26 level-services budget; committee holds public hearing and hears concerns on special education and capital requests

The Marblehead School Committee held a public hearing on the superintendent’s proposed fiscal year 2026 level-services operating budget on Wednesday, where district leaders outlined spending assumptions, capital priorities and planning for looming contract-driven cost increases.

The superintendent said the FY26 level-services request totals $49,240,285, “an increase of $2,361,174, or 5.05% over our current operational budget of $46,759,111,” and described the proposal as fiscally responsible while preserving staffing and services.

Nut graf: The proposed budget maintains current programs and staffing (a “level services” approach), budgets assumed cost increases tied to collective-bargaining agreements and includes capital requests for building systems and playgrounds. District leaders also warned that FY27 and FY28 contractual salary increases (described at the meeting as a 3% increase in FY27 and 3.5% in FY28) may require staffing changes or a Proposition 2 and F override in future years.

Key budget figures and capital items: The superintendent listed FY26 assumptions including step-and-lane increases for settled collective-bargaining agreements, a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for non-represented employees, a 4% utilities increase and a $200,000 curriculum-refresh investment. Capital items noted for the town warrant included Glover School cafeteria HVAC, playground replacement (estimated at about $120,000), a special-education van (estimated $70,000) and a $125,000 feasibility study to evaluate potential uses for the Eveleth School, including possible early-childhood center options. The superintendent also reiterated a previously discussed debt-exclusion request totaling $8,610,602 for a high-school roof project (in addition to an earlier allocation of approximately $5.3 million).

Special education and language-based programming: Parents and staff used the hearing to press the district on language-based programming and dyslexia supports. Parent Erin Noonan said dyslexia and language-based learning difficulties are common, noting national prevalence estimates and asking whether Marblehead’s programs and staffing reflect that level of need. Student services staff said six district staff were beginning Orton-Gillingham training the next week and that additional staff already hold Orton-Gillingham or Wilson training; the district said it is pursuing a multi-year plan to strengthen in‑district special-education and language-based services and to reduce reliance on out‑of‑district placements when possible.

Budget process and town funding: The superintendent described a collaborative process with the town and finance officials that produced a Town funding increase of $2,361,174 for the schools this year. He explained the town’s improved revenue projections and one‑time free‑cash certification that made additional funds available for FY26. The committee and public discussed timing: the committee plans further liaison briefings with town finance and a school-committee vote on the budget before the finance committee and town warrant deadlines.

Public-input and next steps: The hearing opened and closed by formal motions and roll-call votes (both passed). The committee did not adopt the FY26 budget at the hearing; members said they will consider the public input and aim to vote the budget at a future meeting, with subsequent finance committee and town processes to follow.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff and community members for questions and said the district will return with additional detail and public presentations (including planned parent open houses for student services) to clarify programming and implementation plans.