Harvard school leaders present $20.8 million FY27 budget and propose staffing shifts amid enrollment decline

Dr. Linda Dwight presented the Harvard Public Schools’ Superintendent’s recommended FY27 budget at the Dec. 8 School Committee meeting, reporting a proposed total of $20.8 million — a 1.56% increase ($258,041) from the prior year. The leadership team said the increase is substantially lower than an earlier projection and credited cost‑saving measures and decreased offsetting revenues, including from Devens.

The budget discussion centered on staffing adjustments to reflect declining enrollment and shifting needs. The leadership team proposed reducing one English teacher and one ESL teacher at the high school while shifting a part‑time EL tutor; at the middle school they proposed removing one Unified Arts teacher and adding one Special Education teacher; at the elementary level the plan would eliminate four tutors and add one reading specialist. Committee members noted these changes are intended to strengthen intervention services while aligning staffing to lower student counts.

Committee members pressed for detail on contractual obligations and service impacts. Dr. Dwight told the committee that roughly 75–80% of district spending is contractual. She warned that eliminating special‑education administration positions would effectively remove about 1.25 FTEs of counseling capacity because school psychologists would absorb evaluation, paperwork and family communications currently handled by the administrators. Michelle DellaValle, referencing the recent creation of those roles from prior coordinator positions, said leaders had considered restructuring but chose against cuts after analyzing potential effects on students and families.

Members also discussed administrative structure: Mr. Dana Labb described the assistant superintendent role as central to curriculum, compliance and building support, arguing that maintaining the position helps preserve instructional continuity while allowing the superintendent to focus on finance and operations.

The leadership team identified specific line‑item reductions — including curriculum materials, professional development and library costs (a 5.9% reduction in those areas) — and noted increases in student activities tied to graduation and NEASC accreditation expenses. Facilities costs and snow removal were flagged as higher‑cost items; Director of Facilities John Tarlach said the district’s hourly operating costs have increased and that a new DPW agreement should lower rates for larger storms. Technology director Chris Boyle reported higher software licensing costs but savings from extending device lifecycles and a new printer program; he said the district currently favors Apple devices for their longevity and lower repair rates but may evaluate Chromebooks later.

Financial details and operational choices were also quantified: the committee was told adding one Special Education teacher would generate an estimated $647,854 in savings elsewhere; the central office budget would increase by about $93,000 primarily for transportation; and enrollment has declined by 109 students over nine years. Members thanked the leadership team for achieving a smaller‑than‑expected budget increase and raised concerns about optics, noting the elimination of five FTEs alongside continued administrative positions.

The committee took no final vote on the budget at the meeting. School leaders and committee members will continue deliberations as the budget process proceeds; members also noted upcoming meet‑and‑greet sessions with the superintendent finalist and a planned public Devens forum in late January.