Milton school leaders urge operational override after multi-year budget shortfalls

Milton — School committee chair Lizzie Carroll told a packed forum that Milton Public Schools requires “an operational override that at a minimum funds level service to avoid devastating impacts on our staff and students.” The committee and district leaders outlined how a $4 million gap in FY24, use of one‑time funds and year‑to‑year pressures have left the district facing a projected $2,000,000 shortfall for the current fiscal year and a 9.44% “level service” budget increase for fiscal 2026.

Why it matters: The override would let the district exceed the Proposition 2½ tax limit to maintain current staffing and services next year. District leaders said anything below level service would require deep reductions that could affect class sizes, student supports and optional programming. Community members told the committee they want clearer accounting, faster outreach and independent review of past budgeting decisions.

District leaders summarized the problem and next steps. Superintendent Burrows said the FY24 shortfall emerged as the district closed its books last summer and noted…