Lynnfield superintendent proposes 4.3% FY2027 school budget, flags staffing and technology needs

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Geary presented the Lynnfield School Department's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 operating and capital budgets at the Select Board's Jan. 28 meeting, asking the town to approve a 4.3% operating increase to maintain programs and staffing.

Geary said the district's priorities include maintaining class-size guidelines, expanding programming and adding several positions. "Dropping the Fiscal Year 2027 school budget below a four-percent increase will have consequences, and any new positions would push the budget above that mark," Geary said. He described staff proposals that include a Lynnfield High School digital-literacy and Freshman Academy teacher, a high-school special-education team chair and a middle-school special-education teacher.

Why it matters: Geary told the Board that 83% of the school operating budget is salaries and 10% covers out-of-district special-education tuition and transportation, leaving limited flexibility for new positions or capital needs. He warned that reducing the requested increase could require cutting services or positions.

The superintendent outlined several capital and technology requests: public-address systems for each elementary school estimated at $40,000 apiece; a district phone system replacement at $25,000; $250,000 for IT network structure upgrades; $100,000 for "Smart plans" and $65,000 for 165 Chromebook devices. Geary said a Dell grant will provide significant technology items, and the district plans to accelerate a one-year Mac replacement at an estimated $325,000 because of anticipated financial pressure in FY2028. The only non-technology capital item in his presentation was a $100,000 kindergarten/preschool playground at Summer Street School, which the district expects to match with fundraising.

Geary also proposed changing student activity fees, raising the general activity fee from $600 to $800 and setting a $300 fee for non-athletic programs; football and hockey participants would pay an additional $200. He said the family cap on fees would remain $1,600, but the extra football and hockey charge would still apply.

Board reaction and context: Chair Philip Crawford congratulated the schools on the Dell grant and asked whether increased enrollment at Essex Regional vocational school would ease Lynnfield's budget pressures; Geary said Lynnfield's freshman allotment at Essex Regional is increasing from 14 to 23 and noted the educational benefits of the regional programs. Vice Chair Alexis Leahy and Member Richard Dalton both praised the presentation and said they were supportive of the proposed special-education team chair after discussions with school leaders.

What's next: Geary said the schools will continue to work with town officials to arrive at a final budget figure. The Select Board discussion at the Jan. 28 meeting provided the public presentation of the request; subsequent budget hearings and town budget processes will determine final appropriations.