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Grafton schools face $1M+ preliminary shortfall; superintendent warns of staff cuts, larger classes
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the Grafton School Committee heard a preliminary FY27 budget shortfall estimate of roughly $1.0M–$1.4M. Superintendent Doctor Cummings said proposed reductions would likely hit teaching positions and programs, and he flagged rising enrollment and limited capital reserves as compounding problems.
Grafton — The Grafton School Committee on Jan. 6 received an early look at fiscal-year 2027 budget pressure that district leaders said could require roughly $1.0 million to $1.4 million in reductions unless the town changes its appropriation or voters approve additional revenue.
Doctor Cummings, speaking at the committee meeting, described a ‘level-service’ preliminary ask of $50,500,000 and said the town administrator had indicated the town might be able to appropriate about $49.3 million to $49.5 million to the schools. That gap, Cummings said, produces a shortfall the committee must address as reduction options are developed.
“This is January 6; these numbers are preliminary,” Cummings told the board, but he also warned that the most likely places to make cuts would be instructional staff and programs. He outlined a possible scenario that could translate into roughly 7 full-time-equivalent (FTE)…
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