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Barnstable Public Schools presents $96 million FY27 budget with modest restorations and fee proposals

Barnstable School Committee · March 19, 2026

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Summary

Superintendent Hearn and deputy finance director Chris Dueli presented a proposed FY27 operating budget of about $96.0 million — a roughly 2.78% increase — funded in part by $3.7 million in savings and modest restorations to counseling, special education staffing and custodial support.

Barnstable Public Schools officials presented a proposed FY27 operating budget a little over $96,000,000, representing approximately a $2.6 million (2.78%) increase from FY26. Deputy Director of Finance Chris Dueli told the committee the town appropriation stayed near 2.9% and the administration plans to use about $3.7 million in savings to help balance the budget.

Superintendent Hearn framed the proposal as conservative and student-focused, emphasizing the district’s goal of preserving program quality while addressing declining enrollment and vacancies. Hearn outlined proposed restorations and targeted investments, including restoring one full-time equivalent social worker, restoring a half-time custodian to full time, restoring an assistant principal position at BCIS, adding a half-time school psychologist to meet testing demand, adding a BCBA at sites that requested one, and creating stipended roles to support instructional leadership at some schools.

The budget presentation also highlighted one-time capital and equipment needs (just under $300,000 for custodial equipment and other fixed assets), inflationary increases for technology and materials, and planned shifts in subscriptions (TeachTown licensing and a move toward Adobe Sign). Dueli noted an expected increase of about $1,000,000 in circuit-breaker (special education) funding that offsets operating expenses.

Administrators said the district will propose modest user-fee increases (including a $25 per-sport increase proposed for athletics) and consider a sliding-scale fee for expanded full-day pre-K classrooms if the anticipated CPPI grant is awarded. The administration plans to return to the committee on April 1 for budget adoption before submission to the town manager and town council for their hearings.

The budget remains subject to the town appropriation process and further committee action at the April 1 meeting.