School committee transmits four FY26 budget options to Tri-Board, advises against lowest proposal after public outcry

The North Andover School Committee voted Thursday to transmit four FY26 budget options to a Feb. 13 Tri-Board meeting and to register its formal opposition to the district’s lowest “guidance” budget.

The motion to forward the four budget scenarios — the guidance baseline, a proposed “alternative” budget, a level-services budget and a third compromise (presented by district staff) — passed on a 4–1 vote after more than an hour of public comment from parents, teachers and community members. Committee member Brown moved the motion; it was seconded and carried with votes recorded as: Hicks — yes; Moskovich — yes; Brown — yes; Cormier — no; Chair Koenig — yes.

Why it matters: The four documents lay out sharply different program outcomes and staffing levels. The superintendent presented a “purple” alternative that would cost $69,174,591.89 (about $4.32 million above the guidance budget) and would restore many positions compared with a lower alternative the district had circulated. Committee and town leaders will use the Tri-Board meeting to discuss which option to ask…