Stoughton School Committee approves $65.26 million FY26 budget, warns of staff cuts and continuing uncertainty

The Stoughton School Committee on Dec. 30 approved a proposed FY2026 operating budget of $65,257,429, a 3.8% increase over the current year, but district leaders warned the number falls short of the level of funding needed to maintain current services and will require additional staff and program reductions unless state aid improves.

Superintendent (name not specified) told the committee the district has already budgeted to move from a starting “level services” percentage of 7.59% down to 5.5% and now must cut further to meet the 3.8% local target adopted by the committee: “Our FTE loss right now, is approximately 29,” the superintendent said. He later clarified that the net FTE loss is currently about 26 after adding one special-education position and two paraprofessionals for a new TLC program at Wilkins Elementary School that will serve 11 students transitioning from preschool.

The budget vote, moved by Lindsey (last name not specified) and seconded by School Committee member Chris Shannon, passed 5-0. The committee chair noted the vote is based on current projections and that the district will revise the plan when the Legislature’s House 1 state-aid numbers and other facts become available.

Why it matters: the approved dollar total does not cover the district’s “level services” cost for FY26, district administrators…