North Reading School Committee Receives $42.2 Million FY2027 Budget Proposal

NORTH READING — March 9, 2026 — North Reading School Committee receives $42.2 million FY2027 school budget proposal with 3.6 percent increase. Director of Finance Michael Connelly presented the preliminary spending plan at the March 9 meeting, describing a "modified level services" budget that meets contractual salary obligations, funds enrollment-driven staffing at the elementary level, and begins restoring positions cut over the prior two budget cycles — totaling roughly 10 positions at approximately $684,000 in new staffing costs. Special education out-of-district tuition costs are projected to decline, aided by a $582,000 increase in state circuit-breaker reimbursement, helping hold the year-over-year gap to approximately $120,000. Chair Jeff Youseff pushed back on characterizations made at the Select Board that school enrollment is falling, noting a 1 percent increase over five years and projected growth toward 2,400-plus students within a decade. The committee voted 5-0 on five routine items and entered executive session on collective bargaining strategy without returning to open session.