Woburn schools propose 7.65% FY26 spending increase; officials outline line‑by‑line reductions

WOBURN, Mass. — Woburn schools’ finance staff on March 26 presented a draft fiscal year 2026 budget that would total $97,275,867, a 7.65% year‑over‑year increase driven largely by salary step increases, raises and special‑education transportation and tuition costs.

Director of Finance Alex Dizzio walked the School Committee through 26 proposed changes that reduce or repurpose lines to contain the increase. He and district leaders emphasized that most of the district budget is student‑facing salaries: teachers, special‑education staff, nurses and related services.

Dizzio said the district’s FY26 proposal includes multiple targeted reductions and shifts, including trimming custodial and building supplies, leveling electricity and postage lines to FY25 actuals, repurposing a small contingency allotment into the legal line, and moving two interventionist positions from the operating budget into Title I grant funding. The presentation also recommended not backfilling several positions…