Brookline schools are confronting a projected $6 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2026, sending shockwaves through the community and raising fears of cuts and layoffs. The deficit, three times larger than last year’s gap, threatens to reduce essential services and programs at a time when the school district is already struggling to meet students’ needs.
The budget shortfall was revealed in December, as town and school leaders began crafting the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Saif Ali Khan Health Update
Despite a 2023 tax override that raised property taxes by nearly $7 million to support the schools, the district is facing unexpected financial strain. As quoted by the Brookline.news, Susan Givens, deputy superintendent of administration and finance, explained, “Our expenses are coming in higher than what was anticipated during the override projection process, and likewise on the revenue side, some assumptions that were made have not come to fruition.”
Rising costs and declining revenue
The deficit is attributed to a combination of factors, including a $3 million expenditure gap and a $3 million revenue shortfall. A major contributor to the expenditure increase is the rising cost of employee health benefits, which are projected to grow by $4.4 million. In addition, the cost of special education services has increased by $2.5 million since fiscal year 2023, as reported by the Brookline.news.
These financial pressures come despite significant efforts by the district to address funding needs, including the tax override. However, the surge in costs has left little room for flexibility, leading to concerns about the sustainability of current programs.
Educators’ concerns about job security
As the budget shortfall looms, educators are increasingly anxious about the potential for cuts to staff and programs. “Any talk of budget shortfalls makes educators nervous for their positions, their programs, for the integrity of their schools and their staff,” said Justin Brown, president of the Brookline Educators’ Union, as quoted by the Brookline.news. Teachers and staff are worried that the financial challenges will lead to further erosion of resources in an already stretched system.
The School Committee is scheduled to discuss the budget in greater detail at a meeting on January 23, but officials have not yet commented on the potential impact of the deficit, including whether layoffs or program cuts will be necessary.
The community remains on edge, waiting to see how the School Committee will address the financial challenges while ensuring the continued quality of education for Brookline students.
