Framingham residents and educators urge school committee to reject plan that would cut about 116 jobs

Dozens of parents, teachers and students packed the Framingham School Committee meeting on Jan. 21 to oppose a draft fiscal‑year 2027 budget that district staff say would eliminate roughly 116 full‑time equivalent positions to close an $8.9 million gap.

At the start of public comment, Jessica McGatrick, a District 4 resident and middle‑school theater educator, said reductions to performing‑arts staffing would “dilute presence, relationships, mentorship and trust” and urged the committee to “choose investment over inequity.” Several other speakers — classroom teachers, ESL staff, retirees and students — described performing arts, SAGE and ESL as essential supports for belonging and academic progress.

Lincoln Lynch, the district’s executive director for finance and operations, told the committee the current draft reflects the city’s proposed local contribution of $6.2 million and state/federal projections. That leaves the…