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Winchester board approves FY2027 budget with $500,000 reduction after hours of public comment
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment and multiple failed amendments, the Winchester Public Schools Board of Education approved a FY2027 operating budget of $26,050,562, a $500,000 reduction from the superintendent's proposal. The vote was 5-2-1.
The Winchester Public Schools Board of Education approved a $26,050,562 operating budget for fiscal year 2027 on March 3, 2026, after extended public comment and repeated motions to change the superintendent's proposal.
The vote followed lengthy testimony from parents, staff and residents warning that cuts would reduce student supports. Board members ultimately adopted a compromise that reduces the superintendent's requested increase by $500,000. The motion passed by roll call with five votes in favor, two against and one abstention: yes votes from Joseph Santoro, Chrissy Rylander, Nora McCurski, Elanor Bishop and Kurt Warner; no votes from Frank Oliver and Jonathan Morart; Shane Centrella abstained.
The board's deliberations centered on how to balance contractual obligations and rising insurance and special-education costs with preserving programs and positions that members and public speakers called essential. Finance staff presented a breakdown showing Winchester's share of the proposed increase at roughly $906,656; Gilbert's share and out-of-district special-education costs were presented as separate columns the board could not alter at the workshop.
Board members debated which new positions to protect. Multiple members described safety and special-education roles as priorities; others pressed for deeper cuts. Several earlier motions to reduce the budget by specific amounts failed on voice or roll-call votes before the $500,000 compromise prevailed.
Public commenters had urged the board not to preemptively cut supports. Officer Jessica Miko, identified as a Hinsdale School safety officer, told the board that reducing the safety position would mean 'fewer trained eyes and ears focused specifically on prevention,' and Ramona Frost, a licensed marriage and family therapist, warned that reductions in counseling and intervention services would have long-term consequences for students.
Board members and staff said the adopted figure gives the superintendent and business office a clear number to work with as they prepare materials for the town manager and the board of selectmen. Several members noted ongoing advocacy with state officials and described requests to the governor's office and education officials to adjust the education-cost-sharing formula or secure other relief; those potential changes were not assured and did not change the adopted number tonight.
The board announced the adopted budget and moved to a final public-comment period before adjourning. The board will forward the approved figure to the town manager and the board of selectmen for the next steps in the town's budget process.
