North Middlesex committee adopts 2.25% budget; plan assumes staff consolidation and possible building consolidation as option

The North Middlesex Regional School Committee on Feb. 26 adopted an operational budget of $58,926,446 for fiscal year 2026, with a transportation budget of $5,029,162 and debt service of $3,615,892. The committee also authorized use of $1,872,226 from the district's excess and deficiency account to offset the operational total. The package passed after a roll-call vote and will be transmitted to the three member towns for their March 10 budget meetings.

Why it matters: The administration told the committee that the two key ways to get the budget down from a 5.48% level-services increase were (1) staff reductions and (2) consolidating school buildings. The two-building and one-building consolidation scenarios both reduce near-term expenses but would raise class sizes, increase student travel time and, in some cases, risk MSBA grant clawback. The committee voted to send a budget level that assumes some consolidation savings while also authorizing the superintendent to research alternatives and negotiate potential personnel options.

Superintendent Brad Morgan and district staff presented three main budget paths: a 3.16% increase that included closing one elementary school and eliminating roughly 12 full-time positions districtwide; a 2.55% option with fewer reductions (including about six FTEs at the middle school and $40,000 in other reductions); and a 0% increase option that would require closing two buildings and cutting about 15 additional FTEs. Morgan told the committee the 3.16% model included roughly $380,000 in building operations savings tied to closing Ashby Elementary plus additional staffing-consolidation savings that together yield larger total savings once positions are adjusted.

"I'm not in favor of closing any building," Morgan said, but he told members the district has "reached a point" where state assistance is needed and that the different scenarios carry trade-offs for class size, course offerings and student transportation.

Public comments focused heavily on Ashby Elementary. Several parents and staff described Ashby as a small, community-centered school and warned…