WESTFORD — The School Committee continued discussions on the proposed FY27 school budget at its Jan. 5 meeting, following an initial presentation by Superintendent Christopher Chew in early December.
The FY27 budget proposal was first introduced to the committee on Dec. 1, as the town entered budget season. Chew began his presentation by reviewing Westford Public Schools’ budgets over the past several fiscal years, starting with FY23.
In FY23, the final Westford Public Schools budget totaled $64,038,194, representing a 2.89% increase. That year included a reduction of $225,898 from the original request to reach a balanced budget, along with $248,330 in revolving account offsets.
In FY25, the district’s final budget increased to $67,585,356, a 2.57% increase. The budget required a larger reduction of $2,131,480 from the original request, with $413,122 in revolving account offsets.
For FY27, the district is proposing a final budget of $71,491,045, an overall increase of 3.03%. The proposal includes a reduction of $233,829 from the initial request and $176,462 in revolving account offsets to balance the budget.
Chew noted that the reduction needed to balance the FY27 budget is much closer to the levels seen in FY23 and FY24, which required reductions of $225,898 and $266,174, respectively. He contrasted those years with FY25 and FY26, which saw larger reductions following the override failure.
“FY25 was significant,” Chew said, “We know that was a major stumbling point where we didn’t have the override and had to make some significant cuts to the budget, and FY26 followed that. But if you look at FY27, you might think we’re starting to level out.”
Chew also pointed to the district’s increasing reliance on revolving account offsets to balance the budget, noting that those offsets have risen steadily year over year, with the exception of FY23 and FY24.
“Our revolving account offset has increased dramatically,” Chew said, “In FY25, we had to increase our offsets significantly, and there was an even greater increase in FY26 when we solidified our non-general fund guidebook. As we look at FY27, it is continuing to increase.”
Westford Public Schools will receive Grant 240, the district’s largest entitlement grant, which is restricted for special education purposes. For FY27, the district has budgeted $820,000 from the grant, which will be used primarily to cover out-of-district tuition costs.
The district also receives miscellaneous revenues, including more than $1 million from athletic programs and music fees. School choice tuition is projected to generate $500,000, while bus and parking fees are expected to bring in $752,000. Early arrival fees are projected to generate $419,000.
Chew said these miscellaneous revenues either directly fund the programs they are associated with or help offset related district costs.
On the expense side, the district expects approximately $57,939,834, about 81% of the FY27 budget, to be allocated toward staff salaries.
The committee is scheduled to discuss the budget again on Jan. 20, when a tentative vote is planned. Joint meetings with the Finance Committee and Select Board are scheduled for Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. The final school budget will be presented to voters at Town Meeting on March 28 as part of the town’s overall budget.
