Grafton school leaders present two-track FY27 budget approach, warn of significant deficit

Grafton Public Schools administrators presented a two-track FY27 budget approach to the school committee on Dec. 9: a level-of-service budget that seeks to maintain current programming and a reduction budget that would cut services and staff to close an expected funding gap. "What we are recommending is that we end up we're gonna create 2 budgets," the presenter said, explaining the rationale for preparing both a best-effort and a reduced-services scenario.

The administration told the committee it has already implemented prior reductions: roughly $1,062,000 in non-personnel cuts and $447,000 in personnel reductions, including cuts to curriculum coordinator roles, a maintenance position, a math intervention teacher and a technology position. The presenters noted a placeholder of $123,000 to restore an HR coordinator role if the committee prioritizes that position.

Administrators flagged three central FY27 cost drivers: salary-related contractual increases (steps and lanes/cola), out-of-district special-education tuition and transportation. As of Oct. 1 the district reported 34 students placed out of district in private or collaborative settings, which administrators said contributes materially to tuition costs. The presenters also said the district has spent down reserves and circuit-breaker carryover used in prior years and therefore lacks the same contingency funds for FY27.

Board members raised multiple questions. One member asked whether athletic transportation was included with student transportation line items; another pressed the administration on its budgeting method, arguing the draft appeared to apply flat percentage increases to the prior year rather than rebuild salary lines from current position-level actuals. Administration said non-salary lines were prepared differently and offered to review payroll methodology further with board members.

Administrators said they expect a town forecast to be released soon and will use that figure to define the deficit and complete the reduction budget for committee review in the coming months.

The presentation did not include a formal vote on the FY27 proposals; committee members asked for additional detail on contract and insurance assumptions and signaled that further reductions are likely as the district finalizes the reduction budget.