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Superintendent: State FY27 budget adds roughly $700,000 for Wakefield schools
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Lyons said Gov. Maura Healey signed the FY27 state budget, adding about $700,000 over FY26 for Wakefield in Chapter 70 and some special-education support; the committee discussed a separate motion to send a letter backing a state supplemental budget.
Dr. Lyons, superintendent of Wakefield Public Schools, said Gov. Maura Healey has signed the FY27 state budget and that the final plan includes “just about a $700,000 increase over FY26” in Chapter 70 and additional unrestricted state aid and special-education support.
The superintendent said the increase helps but does not eliminate pressure from rising special-education and transportation costs; he told the committee that the district will continue to track how state reimbursements apply to local needs. Committee member Kevin Fontanella urged the board to support an anticipated state supplemental budget that would add roughly $112 per student, which Kevin said would translate to about $370,000 for Wakefield if approved by the Legislature.
The committee approved a motion directing the chair to send a letter to state legislators urging support for the supplemental budget. Dr. Lyons and members flagged that transportation reimbursement remains a concern and that some funding changes are likely to affect fiscal 2028 rather than immediately resolving FY27 shortfalls.
