By NEIL ZOLOT
NORTH READING — School administrators identified over $900,000 in potential budget cuts and a proposed increase of $120,000 in user fees to offset most of the $1.4M gap between a level-funded budget for FY26 and the School Department preliminary budget of $41,377,801 at Monday night’s School Committee meeting.
Assistant School Superintendent for Finance and Operations Michael Connelly provided the details of the $923,048 and increased fees. The cuts would eliminate four computer science and/or world language teachers at the Middle School; two elementary school teachers (which will increase class sizes); two Special Education teachers at the high school; a Special Education teacher at the elementary level; a Special Education paraprofessional; an administrator (which will result in less administrative oversight); and reducing funds for classroom materials and textbooks.
The remaining gap would be $432,975.
Current user fees of $129,200 for athletics, performing arts and clubs cover only 36% of $360,241 in costs associated with these activities, such as transportation, coach and teacher stipends, among other expenses. “We don’t want to see programs reduced, but costs are outpacing revenues,” Connelly said. “That’s why increases in user fees are being considered.”
“For some students, that niche is what gets them to school every day,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Daly added.
Resident Jon Costello asked if there would be relief for families that can’t afford user fees.
School Committee Chairman Scott Buckley said although the fees will go up the family cap on user fees will remain and discounts based on need may be available.
The $41,377,801 is a 5.6% increase of $2,205,831 over $39,171,970 and higher than the 5% increase from Fiscal 2024 to 2025. Most of that is for salaries, including mandated salary increases. Salaries represent $33,888,066 of the increase, up $1,776,450 from $32,111,616 in Fiscal 2025. Salaries also represent 81.8% of costs, with tuition for out-of-district programs at 7.4%, utilities at 2.2% and transportation at 1.9%.
“Much of what we do is fixed from one year to the next,” Connelly said. “We need to maintain fixed costs to maintain our facilities and programming.”
Grants and revolving accounts are projected to rise from $224,013 from $3,488,992 to $3,713,005, making the current full budget total projected to rise $2,429,843 from $42,660,963 to $45,090,806.
“I’ve never seen a budget so devastating,” Middle School Principal Dr. Catherine O’Connell commented. “We’ll still offer computer science and world language. It just won’t be as robust.”
“To take courses out of the program of studies is unfortunate,” High School Principal Anthony Loprete said.
Special Education Director Cynthia Conant added, “Special Education students will not lose services. Services outlined in an Individual Education Plan must be done, but I’m taking a look at the manner in which we provide these services.”
Formal budget vote April 28
The School Committee will hold its formal Budget Hearing and vote on the final budget on Monday, April 28 in a meeting to be held at the Hood School. In the interim numbers could change.
“There are still a lot of moving parts still going on and we won’t know state aid numbers until after Town Meeting in June,” Buckley said. “That’s the challenge we all face. The next step is to figure out revenues.”
Daly added, “There’s still time to talk about this between now and Town Meeting.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the School Committee approved submission of a Statement of Interest to the Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA) to replace modular classrooms at the E. Ethel Little Elementary School and remove them at the J. Turner Hood Elementary School.
The modulars at both date to 2003. “The units have been well maintained but need to be replaced,” according to the School Department’s 2023-27 five-year capital plan about the modulars at the Little. “These classrooms house the early childhood program and will be needed in the future.”
At the Hood, a new permanent structure is proposed to be built.
“We think this is prudent,” Daly said.
Daly also said the cost will be $4.5 million. MSBA aid will defray some of that expense. “It will result in substantial savings, but this will impact the town,” Daly cautioned.