Winchester School Committee approves $70.0 million preliminary FY26 level‑services budget

The Winchester School Committee voted unanimously on Jan. 30 to approve a preliminary FY2026 level‑services budget of $70,004,562.99, an increase of $3,860,268.39 (5.84%) over the current fiscal year.

Superintendent Dr. Hackett introduced the budget discussion and asked finance staff to review the slides and line‑item movements. Mr. Marin summarized key reallocations, saying the largest changes were redistributions of central office column moves (salary increases tied to credits/degrees) to school budgets and reorganization of general education transportation and certain IT staff. The committee was told there had been no substantive changes to the document since the district’s budget public hearing held the prior week.

The superintendent emphasized the distinction between a “level service” and a “level funded” budget, telling the committee, “A level funded budget would mean that that 5.84% would not exist. A level service budget makes adjustments for us to be able to provide the necessary level of services to meet the needs of students without any additional staffing, but with adjustments made where we need to make them.” She said the district expects further refinements between the January vote and town meeting, including updated enrollment projections from the UMass Donahue Institute and potential adjustments for multilingual learners and special education needs.

Committee member Mister Nixon moved to approve the preliminary level‑services budget, stating on the record: "I move that we approve the FY '26 preliminary level services budget of $70,004,562.99, an increase of $3,860,268.39, or 5.84% over the current fiscal year." The motion was seconded (second not specified in the record) and carried unanimously.

Committee members discussed outreach and next steps. The administration plans to collect community input in February using the ThoughtExchange platform and to coordinate with parent organizations and student voices. The committee also flagged that contract negotiations with the Winchester Educators Association (WEA) are underway; the administration included an estimated bargaining figure in the level‑services budget but noted any final contract amounts are subject to collective bargaining outcomes and may require later adjustment.

The approved preliminary budget and supporting materials will be packaged with a letter to the town manager for the next phase of municipal review, including meetings with the finance committee (FinCom) and the select board, and eventual presentation to town meeting. The committee intends to present a recommended budget for committee vote on March 13.

Votes at a glance: - Preliminary FY2026 level‑services budget: Passed unanimously. Recorded ayes: Miss Bergstrom; Doctor Matthews; Mister Hopcroft; Mister Nixon; Chair (names as recorded).