Wellesley Public Schools proposes $96.8 million FY27 budget with 19.5 FTE reduction

School Committee Chair Niki Ofenloch presented a FY27 operating and capital budget to the Advisory Committee on Feb. 11 that follows the Select Board's 3% guideline and totals about $96.8 million.

The budget proposal would increase spending by roughly $2.8 million over FY26 and includes a net reduction of 19.5 full‑time equivalent positions, which the administration said aligns staffing with falling enrollment. Superintendent David Lussier told the committee the staffing changes reflect enrollment calibrations and level‑service adjustments rather than a simple across‑the‑board cuts.

The presentation tied the budget to the district's five‑year strategic plan, which emphasizes high expectations, workforce development, partnership building and facilities optimization. Ofenloch said the proposal maintains student supports and academic options while continuing strategic work.

Why it matters: Wellesley projects a net decline of 63 students districtwide next year, with a small elementary increase offset by declines at the middle and high schools. The administration said the district expects roughly $1.9 million in federal funds for FY27 and has requested just over $1 million in cash capital, primarily for technology replacements.

Key figures and program changes - Total FY27 budget (proposed): about $96.8 million (approximately 3% over FY26). - Enrollment change: +24 elementary, -55 middle school, -31 high school (net -63 students). - Staffing: net reduction of 19.5 FTEs; estimated salary savings of $968,000 tied to enrollment‑based reductions and $296,000 from level‑service adjustments, totaling about $1.25–$1.3 million. - Special education: in‑district programs were reported to avoid approximately $17.5 million in out‑of‑district costs; tuition revenue from neighboring districts is about $200,000. - Transportation: an expected cost increase of about $335,000 for FY27; the district is not proposing fee changes (current fee $300 per student, family cap $700).

On specific programs, Superintendent Lussier said the Evolutions program at Wellesley High School will be reduced from four blocks to three, a change he characterized as driven by declining enrollment (22 students currently enrolled) and scheduling needs so that teachers can offer additional electives. "This was not a budget‑driven decision but rather a response to declining enrollment," Lussier said.

Questions and concerns from Advisory Committee members focused on special education, behavioral supports, program capacity and how partial FTE reductions are implemented. Dr. Marguerite Connolly, interim assistant superintendent for student services, described the $17.5 million figure as a net calculation that matches each in‑district student to the likely out‑of‑district placement cost and then nets out the cost of the in‑district staff required to serve those students.

Committee members pressed for clarity on several items: the mechanics behind partial FTE reductions (the administration said these can represent reduced schedules across multiple staff), how behavioral technicians are allocated (by IEP team determinations), the district's approach to measuring academic support effectiveness (balanced assessments and periodic reviews), and the composition of per‑pupil cost figures (the district cited a DESE FY24 figure of $28,396, which includes town‑apportioned costs but excludes debt service and crossing guards).

Funding and risk The administration said last year's $1.9 million turnback was exceptional and that a typical turnback is closer to $250,000. The budget book shows a projected $729,000 deficit across funds driven primarily by one‑time capital expenses; officials said one‑time costs complicate year‑to‑year comparisons and may not require immediate cuts.

Officials also described statewide pressures on transportation costs, noting limited vendor competition and rising labor costs; the legislature has directed the Inspector General to study in‑district transportation, vendor availability and bidding patterns.

Process and next steps Ofenloch told the Advisory Committee the School Committee approved the FY27 budget on Feb. 4 and presented it for the town budget process. Advisory Committee members suggested providing comparative slides showing how Wellesley's enrollment and budget metrics compare with peer districts to help Town Meeting understand the context.

"The program was a life‑altering experience for my child," said Kendal Temple, who urged the committee to preserve Evolutions during Citizen Speak. The administration said it would continue to monitor enrollment, staffing and program outcomes.

The Advisory Committee will continue to vet the budget as part of the town's annual budget review timeline; no formal town funding decisions were made at the Feb. 11 meeting.