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Wakefield schools present $58.6M FY27 budget, cite soaring special-education and transportation costs; propose $50 afterschool fee increase
Summary
Wakefield School Committee reviewed a $58.6 million FY27 budget Friday, with administrators citing steep rises in special-education and out-of-district transportation costs and proposing a $50 increase to afterschool user fees (from $175 to $225) to help offset up to $400,000 in program expenses.
Wakefield School Committee members on March 10 heard a detailed presentation on the district’s proposed $58.6 million budget for fiscal 2027 and discussed options to cover sharply rising special-education and transportation costs.
Superintendent Doug opened the presentation by outlining the process and schedule for public review — a finance workshop Saturday and a public hearing next Wednesday — and said the district will ask voters to consider the budget at town meeting in May. "Our budget is a reflection of our values," the superintendent said while summarizing that the district serves nearly 3,400 students across seven schools and employs more than 600 staff.
Business Administrator Christine told the committee the district has seen a “dramatic decrease in the available balance” this year primarily because special-education transportation costs have jumped. "Last year at this time, we spent about $690,000. This year at this time, we spent 1.2," Christine said, adding the district has encumbered $524,000 for the remainder of the…
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