North Andover school leaders present three FY26 budget options; committee and public urged to back higher ask

Interim Superintendent Pam Lathrop presented three proposed FY26 budgets to the North Andover School Committee on Jan. 21, outlining a $71,784,091 “level service” budget, a $67,600,000 alternative budget and a $64,858,914 guidance budget recommended by the town manager and select board.

Why it matters: the level-service budget would fully fund contractual salary steps, special-education tuition and transportation reserves and programs now paid with expired federal grants; the guidance budget would require deep cuts and temporary closure of Kittredge Elementary. The committee and many public commenters urged the town to seek additional local revenue or use available town tax capacity to avoid severe program and staff reductions.

Lede facts and numbers: Lathrop said “the vast majority of our school's general fund is spent on salaries, approximately 83%.” She told the committee that leveling the district’s budget to account for recent spending and contractual obligations produced a $71.8 million level-service figure and created a projected deficit of $6,925,178 relative to current guidance.

Nut graf — what the options do: Lathrop described the consequences of each option. The guidance budget would reduce the district by roughly $6.9 million and — as presented — include the temporary closure of Kittredge…