Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middleborough School Committee approves FY2026 budget with unanimous vote
Summary
The Middleborough School Committee unanimously approved a fiscal 2026 local education budget that totals roughly $46.4 million in appropriations and $53.3 million in final approved expenditures after offsets; members said special-education cost growth and staffing remain key budget drivers.
The Middleborough School Committee voted unanimously to approve the fiscal 2026 local education appropriation at its March meeting, adopting the operating and transportation budgets recommended by the superintendent.
Director Peron presented the FY2026 package and said the all-funds request totaled about $48.5 million, with offsets (including $3 million in circuit-breaker special-education reimbursement and other revolving and grant funds) bringing the final approved expenditures to roughly $53.3 million. "The fiscal 26 budget represents a 3% allocation," Director Peron told the committee. He highlighted that special-education out‑of‑district tuition had risen from $2.6 million to $4.7 million over two years, calling that a major budget driver.
Committee members asked for clarification about the FY2 grant’s effect on the budget; Director Peron said the district’s review showed no impact on the FY26 spending plan. After discussion, a motion to approve the appropriation — which the motion text described as including $41,795,65 for operating and $4,521,57 for transportation, with $6,751,187 in additional funding sources — was moved, seconded and passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Committee members and district leaders said rising special-education costs and salary/contract pressures are the primary budget challenges. Director Peron told the body that salaries account for the majority of expenses and that the district is using circuit-breaker funds and other offsets to mitigate the increase.
Votes at a glance: The motion to approve the FY2026 local education budget passed unanimously. The motion text, as presented at the meeting, stated the appropriation was "in compliance with the Education Reform Act of 1993 and recommended by the superintendent of schools." The record shows the committee approved the consent agenda later in the meeting, also unanimously.
What’s next: The superintendent and business office will post the final budget materials online and the district will proceed with implementation and the planned staffing and program changes included in the adopted FY2026 budget.
