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Wilmington previews $52M preliminary FY26 budget as special-education and transportation costs climb
Summary
The Wilmington School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY26 spending plan just over $52 million, citing rising out-of-district transportation and special-education costs as primary drivers and proposing modest net staffing increases alongside capital requests.
The Wilmington School Committee heard a preliminary FY26 budget presentation on Dec. 18 that would raise district spending to just over $52 million, with administrators flagging steep increases in out-of-district transportation and growing special-education needs as the largest cost pressures.
Superintendent Dr. Brand framed the plan as a “preliminary” superintendent’s budget assembled from enrollment forecasts and program needs. He told the committee that October 1 enrollment stood at 2,818 students districtwide and that projected growth and program changes were driving staffing and non-salary increases.
Administrators highlighted several specific pressures. Out-of-district transportation is forecast to rise by almost $350,000, and out-of-district tuition is projected to increase by about $185,000 in the current…
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