Falmouth previews FY27 budget with safety and special‑education increases

Superintendent and finance staff gave the school committee an early look at FY27 budget priorities, emphasizing safety, special‑education needs and restoring program growth.

The superintendent listed strategic priorities for next year: further safety measures (including new camera software and two central safety monitors), bolstering special‑education funding to reflect rising costs, preserving counseling and ELD staffing, expanding preschool seats and beginning a world‑language program in 2027. She told the committee she will request approval for a third SRO at the Dec. 9 meeting.

Paul (finance) gave a brief historical recap: FY25 saw a 3.7% increase (including a $300,000 draw); FY26 rose 5.5% with about $340,000 added for special‑education categories. For an early FY27 draft he presented a 5.8% increase driven by non‑salary increases including projected out‑of‑district tuition (+$200,000), out‑of‑district transportation (+$250,000), contracted special‑education services (+$250,000) and security software/service (~$88,000). Paul said some lines were increased to build resilience to yearly variances (noting district transportation exceeded budget the prior year by roughly $587,000). The district intends to work with the town and PTOs ahead of a full budget presentation at the Dec. 9 meeting and expects additional public forums in early January before the committee votes.

Committee members asked about the drivers of the transportation increase (vendor contract and capital decisions), utility‑saving measures adopted last year and whether the security increases include salary or contract service costs. Paul and the superintendent said line items were still being refined and pledged additional detail at the December presentation.