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School Committee approves FY27 budget directives after debate over priorities and timing
Summary
The committee voted 5-0 on Oct. 23 to adopt superintendent-directed guidance for the FY2027 budget. Discussion focused on prioritizing special education, literacy interventions, staffing, and whether to plan for an override.
The North Andover School Committee voted unanimously on Oct. 23 to approve a set of superintendent-directed priorities to guide development of the fiscal year 2027 school budget.
The directives (approved as modified) ask the superintendent to prepare a budget that reflects district goals — including continued rollout of high‑quality instructional materials (HQIM), stronger MTSS structures, expanded professional learning, support for special education staffing and interventions, and attention to school safety and maintenance needs.
Committee members and the superintendent discussed how to balance the town’s fiscal parameters with educational needs. Several members and public commenters urged the committee to be prepared to request additional funding if town revenue projections make the adopted budget insufficient for the district’s priorities. The committee and superintendent agreed they need clearer figures on town revenue and fixed costs before deciding whether to pursue an override; the town manager will present a five‑year financial forecast to the select board on Dec. 15.
Superintendent Pam Lathrop offered to return with a preliminary preview of budget priorities in December so committee members and the public can review likely needs ahead of the formal budget presentation on Jan. 8, a public hearing on Jan. 15 and a committee vote on Jan. 30.
Specific directive language grouped considerations into buckets the superintendent should address when building the proposed budget: fiscal responsibility and transparency; renewed revenue opportunities and user‑fees review; meeting the needs of all learners (including special education and reading/literacy interventions); instructional quality and professional learning aligned to district plans; and safe and supportive schools (including attention to staffing that affects supervision and class size ranges).
The committee asked the superintendent to pursue operational efficiencies where possible and to document specific proposals (for example, consolidation of subscriptions or repurposing existing positions) when the proposed budget is presented.
The motion to approve the superintendent's proposed directives as modified was moved and seconded and passed with recorded yes votes from Moskovich, Sams, Brown, Cormier and Chair Hicks (5‑0). The committee directed the superintendent and finance staff to continue meeting with town finance staff and to return with follow‑up material on capital improvement priorities, potential revenue options, and budget scenarios.
