School committee forwards recommended FY26 budget, highlights special-education costs and new programs

The North Brookfield School Committee voted Wednesday to forward a recommended fiscal year 2026 budget to the town, with committee members and administrators highlighting rising salaries, transportation and out‑of‑district special‑education placements as the primary cost drivers.

The committee’s recommended operating budget to be included in the town warrant was described during the meeting as $8,227,837.31; administrators also presented a larger “recommended” figure with offsets of $9,763,911.89 and told the committee the numbers remain subject to change as negotiations and state budget decisions continue. The recommended figure that will go to the town is the $8,227,837.31 amount, the superintendent said.

Why it matters: district leaders said the budget increase largely reflects negotiated and projected salary costs, an 11% rise in transportation costs, and the continuing expense of special‑education placements outside the district. Administrators and committee members emphasized that keeping more students in‑district by expanding…