Somerville board submits $20.26M tentative budget to county after state‑aid changes

The Somerville Board of Education voted to submit a tentative $20,262,027 budget for the 2026–27 school year to the county superintendent for review.

Van Horn, who presented the finance committee's report, said changes in state aid improved the district's financial position from a projected 3% decrease to a 5.8% increase, allowing the administration to proceed with priority initiatives while maintaining fiscal stability.

The budget includes a proposed 2% tax‑levy increase and a cap adjustment tied to rising health‑care costs. Van Horn told the board that health benefits remain the primary cost driver, with health‑care costs rising about $1,464,000, prescription expenses up roughly 25% and medical costs up about 19.5%.

The finance presentation also said the district experienced about a $7,000,000 loss in ratables due to a change in Verizon's tax status and that the board chose not to use $399,000 in previously banked cap funds. The total school tax‑rate change was presented as approximately 5.9%, or about $32.45 per month for the average residential property including referendum debt service.

Board members voted to move the tentative budget to the county for formal review; a public hearing on the 2026–27 budget is scheduled for April 28, when the board will consider final adoption. The motion to submit the tentative budget passed by roll call.

The board president said the action tonight authorizes the business administrator to forward the tentative budget for county review and that final budget adoption will occur after the public hearing and any further board discussion.