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Medford School Committee advances preliminary FY27 budget after debate over staffing and transparency
Summary
The committee approved the superintendent’s preliminary FY27 budget package after presentations from finance staff that cut the proposed increase from roughly $7.4M to about $4.1M through deferrals, revenue shifts and staff realignments; the committee voted 6–0 with one abstention to accept the recommendations and prioritize reinstating an inclusion specialist if funding allows.
The Medford School Committee on May 12 voted to advance the superintendent’s preliminary FY27 operating budget, approving a package of three actions that includes the general-fund appropriation request, a stabilization-fund transfer and a set of free-cash requests for capital and maintenance needs.
Superintendent (speaking at the hearing) said the proposal is “a responsible, thoughtful, and authentic representation of the work we have undertaken to support the growth and development of every student in Medford Public Schools.” She framed the plan against rising costs in special education, transportation and general operations and turned the presentation to the district’s budget staff.
Jerry McHugh, the district’s budget analyst, and Finance Director Noel Velez described how the district reduced an initial April proposal—previously characterized as a roughly $7.4 million base increase—to a revised base increase of about $4.0–4.1 million. Velez said the $3.3 million of identified reductions came from deferring some items to FY28, identifying alternative revenue sources (about $1.5 million),…
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