Beverly School Committee accepts FY27 city appropriation of $89.88 million after 5–4 vote

The Beverly School Committee on June 24 voted 5–4 to accept the City Council’s FY27 appropriation of $89,876,235 for Beverly Public Schools.

Superintendent Dr. Cushing asked the committee to formally accept the appropriation the city adopted June 23 and explained the amount is $4,503,621 higher than the current year’s appropriation. "This amount is $4,503,621 higher than the current year's appropriation," he said. He added that the difference relative to the budget previously presented to the committee would be accounted for by adding the small overage to the district’s healthcare line.

The committee discussed whether a formal revote was required after the City Council action. The chair said she had asked both the city solicitor and the committee’s legal counsel and was told a revote was not legally required; the chair said the committee was voting as a formality so the district’s line items match the city’s approved total. After debate, a motion to accept the appropriation and to place the overage in the healthcare line was moved, seconded and carried by a 5–4 tally.

What it means: The vote accepts the dollar appropriation adopted by the City Council; the committee did not adopt additional line‑item changes beyond the superintendent’s recommendation to direct the overage to healthcare. Several members expressed disappointment that the city budget process constrained the district’s original request, and discussion included concerns about broader fiscal tradeoffs in the community.

Next steps: The budget will be implemented according to the city‑adopted appropriation; the superintendent and staff will monitor line items and report on any necessary transfers during the fiscal year.