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Methuen committee adopts $142.1 million FY27 operating budget after hours of public testimony and divided votes
Summary
After two hours of public comment urging the use of free cash to avoid layoffs, the Methuen School Committee approved a $142,143,368 FY27 operating budget on a 4–3 roll-call vote; earlier votes on component figures produced split results and several members registered no votes.
Public testimony at the Methuen School Committee’s May 7 public hearing emphasized the real-world effects of proposed cuts before the panel approved a $142,143,368 fiscal‑year‑2027 operating budget.
Teachers, parents and retired educators packed the meeting to press the committee to use Methuen’s free cash to avert staff and program reductions. ‘‘Cutting those who provide direct services to students is clearly a dystopian idea,’’ said Tom Myers, a retired teacher who asked the committee to recommend that the City Council transfer reserves to cover the district shortfall for one year.
The superintendent’s office presented a revised budget that administrators said reduced $4,700,000 from an earlier proposal and placed the district’s…
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