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Winchester board approves revised budget after $1 million cut; several positions removed
Summary
Facing a $1 million reduction from the board of selectmen, the Winchester Board of Education approved a revised FY27 budget that eliminates or postpones multiple staff positions and relies partly on a 440‑type reserve to keep school safety officers in place.
The Winchester Public Schools Board of Education voted May 12 to approve a revised FY27 budget after the board of selectmen reduced the district’s allocation by about $1 million. The board approved staff and program reductions and directed administrators to rely in part on non‑lapsing reserves to preserve certain services.
The superintendent told the board the revised budget eliminates or defers the special education assistant director post, a grade‑2 teacher, two interventionists, the director of data and information, one preschool teacher and an associated paraeducator. The administration said it would maintain school safety officers by funding the positions from a 440‑type reserve account rather than the operating budget.
Board members pressed administration staff for details about how the district will cover higher costs that emerged since the original budget was drafted, including out‑of‑district tuition and transportation pressures. Nancy (surname not specified in the meeting record), who presented budget details, said out‑of‑district transportation and tuition were running a deficit of more than $700,000 driven by new outplacements, students moving into district with existing placements and elevated transportation costs related to fuel and driver shortages. She told the board state excess‑cost aid this year was upwards of $1 million and had helped mitigate the shortfall.
Joseph Santoro moved to approve the revised budget as presented; a second motion was made and the board approved the revision. The board and administration agreed to continue monitoring encumbrances and grant carryover so one‑time funds and grant timing are used deliberately to stabilize next year’s budget.
The superintendent said the district will contract some work previously handled by eliminated positions (for example, remote reporting and data services) and seek ways to restore positions if additional revenue or savings become available.
The board’s action makes the revised figures official for the district’s presentation to voters ahead of the May 30 referendum and for subsequent implementation if the referendum and related town actions permit funding at the revised level.
