Superintendent proposes $80.4M FY26 budget; reorganization aims to reduce costs, expand in‑district special‑education services

The Franklin School Committee on Jan. 28 received the superintendent’s recommended FY26 operating budget of $80,395,338, an increase of 3.78 over the FY25 operating budget, accompanied by a reorganization plan that consolidates three middle schools into one, converts five elementary schools into four and expands the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC).

Superintendent and finance staff said the proposed operating budget plus grants and revolving accounts totals $88,869,181. The presentation listed drivers for the request as contractual salary steps and increases, health insurance, transportation, and special‑education costs; salary increases including steps were cited at roughly $2.3 million and a transportation cost increase of about $200,000 was noted.

Business manager Lucas (presenting the recommended budget) said the request is intended to address a structural deficit and to create a more sustainable staffing model through economies of scale created by consolidation. "This…