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Harvard committee flags Devens enrollment decline and projected budget shortfalls for FY26 and FY27
Summary
Finance officials reported roughly $288,000 in savings but said declining enrollment at Devens has produced a $618,000 FY26 deficit and a projected $673,000 FY27 shortfall; the committee advanced an earlier budget timeline and proposed a public presentation Feb. 11 at Bromfield Library.
District finance officials told the Harvard School Committee Sept. 8 that the district is currently realizing roughly $288,000 in savings from areas such as new-staff salaries and summer professional development but is facing larger structural pressure because enrollment at Devens is down.
Director of Finance and Operations Mandy Ostaszewski said the decline in Devens enrollment contributed to an estimated $618,000 deficit for FY26; she reported the district is evaluating revolving accounts, school-choice funds and circuit-breaker reimbursements as possible offsets. Committee members expressed concern about a projected $673,000 deficit in FY27. Superintendent Dr. Linda Dwight described the budget as "very fluid" and said administrators will continue to reassess accounts throughout the year.
To improve planning and public engagement, Chair Abigail Besse proposed moving key budget deadlines earlier in the school year and holding a public budget presentation Feb. 11 at the Bromfield Library followed by a Q&A session; the committee also plans a public hearing during a School Committee meeting later in the budget cycle.
No formal budget vote was taken at the meeting; administrators will return with additional fiscal details and potential offsets for committee review.
