Superintendent outlines FY26 budget with $1.12 million gap; proposes cuts, offsets and program shifts

Superintendent Doctor Chu presented the Westford School Committee with a proposed FY26 budget on Monday that she said would close a $1,122,377 gap through a mix of staff reductions, increased offsets from non‑general funds and an expected one‑time rise in special education reimbursement known as the circuit breaker.

The presentation outlined a level‑service budget of $70,510,949, a town allocation that Chu said would yield a recommended, balanced proposal of $69,388,572 and a financing strategy that combines $316,198 in reductions with $806,179 in increased offsets to reach the balanced figure.

Why it matters: Committee members and speakers said the district is still absorbing the effects of last year’s failed override, which Chu said required the elimination of 21.4 instructional positions in FY25 and contributed to lower staff morale and larger class sizes in some grades.

The committee heard public comment before the presentation from Ruthie Musso, a fourth‑grade teacher and the union teacher president, who warned of larger classes and a more…