Franklin Public Schools proposes $80.4 million FY26 budget to address $3.6 million structural deficit; hearing opened and closed

The Franklin School Committee opened and completed a public hearing on its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget on Feb. 4, presenting an $80,395,338 operating request ( $88,869,181 including grants and revolving funds) that school leaders said is structured to address a $3.6 million townwide structural deficit.

Superintendent Lucas Gere led the presentation with interim School Business Administrator Janna Malati and consultant Dr. Dutch at the table. Gere said the recommended operating budget “represents $80,395,338,” and framed the request as intended to preserve class sizes, sustain mental- and behavioral-health services and implement a reorganization intended to produce recurring savings.

The committee and staff described three budget priorities: stabilizing core systems, reallocating existing resources rather than increasing total FTE, and completing multi-year plans begun in prior years. Malati summarized the totals in the presentation and repeated the district-wide figures, noting the operating request and the $88.87 million figure when grants and revolving accounts are included.

Nut graf: School leaders told the committee the FY26 request depends on resolving a townwide structural deficit and that, if the district receives less than the recommended amount, staff, restored positions and programming could be reduced. Committee members pressed staff for line-item detail on transportation, special education and school-based supports during the line-by-line review that followed the presentation.

Major numbers and drivers - Operating budget (proposed): $80,395,338 (reported as a 3.78% increase over FY25). - Total with grants and revolving funds: $88,869,181. - Structural…