Bourne School Committee approves $27.7 million FY26 budget, 5-0 vote

The Bourne School Committee voted 5-0 on Feb. 26 to approve a $27,718,638 operating budget for fiscal year 2026, a 4% increase from the prior year, following presentations from district leaders at a budget hearing at Bourne High School.

Superintendent Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou presented the budget package, saying the proposal balances revenue assumptions — including town funding, school-choice and tuition offsets, and state and federal grants — with priorities to maintain program quality, manage class sizes and support equitable practices. She recommended the $27,718,638 operating budget as a near level-serviced plan that reflects scheduling and enrollment-driven staffing adjustments rather than a wholesale increase in services.

The budget keeps existing programs such as WIN and Pre-AP, funds extended elementary reading blocks to 90 minutes and provides resources for supplemental phonics and writing programs, professional development, and continued social-emotional learning supports, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Barbara Starkie said. Technology investments outlined by Director of Technology Chris Oliver include network upgrades, Chromebook and computer replacements, enhanced security systems and a secondary internet connection to improve reliability.

Director of Business Services Jordan Geist presented pie-chart breakdowns and said transportation costs rose primarily because the district is restarting its bus leasing cycle. Director of Special Education and Student Services Kristin Donahue highlighted continued focus on Massachusetts IEP requirements, mental-health supports and strategies to manage rising special-education expenses for in-district services, tuition placements and transportation.

Christine Borning presented site-based budgets for Bourne Middle School and Bourne High School. Borning said staff at BMS will be realigned to reflect current enrollment — six homerooms each in grades 6 and 7 and eight in grade 8 — and specified anticipated staffing allocations including Unified Arts teachers, a media specialist, world-language staff, directed support, counselors and special educators. At BHS, presenters proposed expanding opportunities with a new computer science pathway and an early-college option with Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

During committee questions, Maureen Fuller asked how the district would deliver required standards amid staff reductions at BMS. Borning said standards would be reassigned to different staff members to preserve an equivalent curriculum experience. Fuller also asked whether the district would purchase or develop an ESL curriculum; Dr. Starkie said that decision is pending and would be brought forward later in the year.

Maureen Fuller moved to approve the FY26 operating budget; Donel Beals seconded. The roll-call vote was recorded as 5-0-0 in favor. After the vote, Dr. Zhou thanked staff and committee members for their work on the budget. The committee adjourned at 6:09 p.m.

What’s next: With committee approval the budget advances through the district’s usual town appropriation and municipal budget processes, and administrators said further decisions on curriculum purchases and specific staffing implementations will be reported later in the year.