Wilmington previews $52M preliminary FY26 budget as special-education and transportation costs climb

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 plan. Non-salary costs overall are estimated to rise roughly 5.4%, described in the presentation as about $552,000. On staffing, the proposal shows a net addition of about 4.4 full-time-equivalent positions while identifying approximately 6.0 FTE reductions tied to students aging out or program changes.

The presentation gave numbers for in-district special-education programming: nine programs across the district, about 30 classrooms serving roughly 140 students, supported by about 30 teachers and 39 educational assistants. "These programs are complex," Dr. Brand said, and the budget includes a proposed unit-A program coach intended to provide consistent instructional supports across buildings.

High-school staffing requests also drew attention. A request described in the packet as a "business" position reflected growing elective demand at Wilmington High School after schedule changes added an elective block. High-school staff said many business and digital courses filled quickly and that more sections are needed to preserve students’ access to required and elective courses.

Capital requests for FY26 totaled approximately $631,000, including Chromebook replacements ($75,000), elementary projectors ($55,000), a minivan replacement ($100,000), furniture and whiteboard items ($50,000), and security improvements ($60,000). Administrators noted some larger items are placeholders for future years and that town funding decisions will affect what moves forward.

Next steps in the municipal timeline include a recommended budget presentation to the committee on Jan. 22, the town manager’s budget presentation Jan. 27, a formal budget hearing required under Massachusetts law (currently forecast for Feb. 12), and subsequent finance-committee and town-meeting deliberations in spring. Dr. Brand reiterated that the proposal is intended to reflect educational needs but will be adjusted to match the town’s funding forecast.

Committee members asked for more granular crosswalks linking proposed reductions and additions to specific programs and schools so the committee can evaluate educational trade-offs. Mr. Turner and others pressed for clarity on the circuit-breaker reimbursement for transportation; budget staff said transportation is included in circuit-breaker claims but at a lower reimbursement percentage than tuitions.

The committee did not vote on the budget. Administrators said they will return in January with a recommended budget informed by town revenue guidance.