Superintendent presents $34.5M FY27 recommendation, warns of nearly $1M operating shortfall

Superintendent Amy presented the Northbridge School Department’s recommended fiscal 2027 operating budget — $34,498,602 — to the School Committee, saying the figure reflects level services plus needs-based staffing requests and revised revenue assumptions.

The recommendation would raise the budget roughly $1.6 million (4.93%) over the revised FY26 figure. "For level services to what we currently have in fiscal 2026, the increase would be $787,286, or a 2.4% increase," the budget presenter said during the meeting. The superintendent and budget presenter stressed that key drivers include salaries, special-education out-of-district tuition and transportation, and an anticipated 48% increase in technology spending tied to device replacement and planned capital projects.

The district is proposing $808,505 in needs-based staffing and reorganization requests to meet compliance and service needs. The package includes adding two elementary English-language (EL) teachers at NES, an additional Grade 3 teacher and inclusion teacher to address a large Grade 2 cohort (174 students moving into Grade 3), a kindergarten inclusion teacher, a speech-language pathologist at NES, a middle-school reading specialist, instructional assistant support for a specialized “connect” classroom, and a high-school computer technology teacher and behavior technician among other adjustments. The presenter said adding those positions would keep typical class sizes manageable and help meet state-mandated services for students with IEPs and EL students.

The presenter outlined the district’s revenue assumptions and deficit calculations. Using current estimates for state Chapter 70 aid (including a reported $75-per-pupil minimum that would equate to about $141,450 for Northbridge) and a typical town appropriation trend of 2%, the operating budget shows a projected shortfall of about $946,000. When one-time or revolving account spending is included, the presenter said the broader "funding deficit" could be approximately $2.6 million.

The presenter cautioned that several revenue items remain uncertain. In particular, circuit-breaker special-education reimbursements and revolving account carryforwards have materially affected recent projections: a state change that increased transportation reimbursement substantially has lifted expected revolving revenues, reducing the immediate operating shortfall compared with earlier projections. "Because the reimbursement rate went up, it has impacted multiple years," the presenter said, while also noting that final state figures were not yet available and the town's appropriation remains to be set.

Committee members pressed on capacity and compliance implications. When asked whether the elementary additions would strain space at NES, the presenter said the district may need to move Grade 5 to the middle school within the next two years if enrollment trends continue and additional classroom/pull-out space is required. Several committee members noted that unfilled positions in prior years improved the budget numbers but harmed day-to-day services and urged more outreach so the public understands the compliance reasons behind many of the proposed adds.

Public commenters at the meeting emphasized the staffing needs. Joe Leonard said the proposed additions are "not really add-ons — they're necessities," adding that without them "tier 1 kids are going to slip through the cracks," and warned of long-term reading and behavior consequences. Another commenter, Tiffany Pearl, asked the district to improve communication channels so parents can easily find public hearing details online.

Next steps: the committee and administration urged residents to attend the public hearing on Feb. 3 at 5:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium; the School Committee will vote on the budget on Feb. 10 and will present to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee on Feb. 23. The administration said they will continue updating revenue figures when the state releases Chapter 70 details and remain available to meet individually with committee members for additional information.

If state figures or town appropriation levels change, the presenter said the district will revisit the calculations and options to close the deficit — either by increasing revenue (including an operational override) or by reducing expenses. The presenter warned that continued reductions could compromise the district’s ability to provide required services and maintain program quality.