Franklin Public Schools proposes $81.2 million FY2027 budget to preserve level services; health‑insurance shift to town debated

Franklin Public Schools leaders on Jan. 27 laid out a recommended FY2027 operating budget of $81,200,000 and urged the School Committee to approve a plan they said preserves current programs while absorbing rising fixed costs.

The spending request breaks into $72.3 million for operating costs excluding health insurance and an $8.8 million health‑insurance line, a 14% increase over FY2026. Presenters said the combined request equals a 3.6% increase over FY2026; excluding health insurance, the district is asking for a 2.5% operational increase.

“We built a budget that protects core programs and balances rising fixed costs,” the lead presenter said, emphasizing a 0‑based budgeting process that examines every line item. The presentation credited last year’s reorganization with approximately $3.1–$3.2 million in recurring cost avoidances that helped stabilize the request.

Why it matters: Franklin educates about 4,327 students but spends below the state average on a per‑pupil basis, presenters said. At the same time, special‑education tuition and…