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Somerville Board adopts 2026–27 budget, cites $1.3M spike in health benefits; average tax impact $389
Summary
The Somerville Board of Education approved the 2026–2027 school budget after a public hearing, highlighting investments in curriculum pilots, preschool expansion and capital projects while noting a $1.3 million increase in health benefits drove much of the budget pressure and an estimated average residential tax impact of $389 (5.9%).
The Somerville Board of Education on Thursday adopted its 2026–2027 school budget after a public hearing and questions from board members.
Superintendent J.R. Lubisco and Business Administrator Brian Boyce presented the spending plan and said the district prioritized strategic planning, classroom instruction, expanded preschool capacity and capital improvements. Lubisco said the district seeks to "support a strategic planning process with community voice" and to "continue to strengthen classroom instruction" through professional development and data systems.
Boyce told the board the budget isolates a set of major cost drivers: salaries (up about 2.7%), utilities (up roughly 22%), tuition for out-of-district special-education placements and health benefits, which rose by $1.3 million, a 17 percent increase. "Health benefits is up 17%. That is higher than I've ever seen since my time here," Boyce said.
The administrators detailed capital needs including a complete elevator overhaul at the high school, the final phase of the districtwide intercom and bell replacement, HVAC work and a replacement of a 25-year-old sprinkler pump at Vander Veer.
On revenue, Boyce described the district's adequacy budget ($35.531 million) and the state's calculation of Somerville's local fair share ($27.856 million), noting the district's budget is essentially at adequacy and about $20,000 under the state figure. He also described the use of banked cap and one-time interest earnings on bond proceeds to keep the debt-service levy flat after the 2025 referendum.
The board approved the motion to adopt the budget (agenda item 22) by roll call; all voting members present voted in favor and one member, Mrs. Smith, was absent. The board previously voted on grouped agenda items; an abstention was recorded on a different agenda item (item 25), not the budget.
The administration estimated the average residential property tax impact at $389, approximately a 5.9 percent increase.
The board will proceed with adopted appropriations and follow the usual implementation and reporting processes for capital projects and program funding.
