The Longmeadow School Committee on March 25 voted to submit a revised FY26 school department budget of $44,776,482.92, with a general fund allocation of $41,394,307.44, to the town manager for inclusion in annual town meeting on May 13, 2025.

Administrators told the committee the school committee’s original February 11 voted budget exceeded the town manager’s recommendation by $81,397. The town manager recommended a 3% increase over FY25 for the schools; the committee’s revision reduces the committee’s earlier request to align with that recommendation.

Superintendent Dr. Chase and Assistant Superintendent Mazza described line-item reductions and sources of savings: newly surfaced staff attrition (savings from lower-step hires), a $10,000 reduction in curriculum-adoption expenses (no major adoption anticipated), a $13,000 reduction in consumable supplies (including reducing a K–8 per-student consumable allocation from $10 to $5 and a $4,000 reduction at the high school), a reduction in contracted evaluation expenses, modest cuts in computer hardware/repairs, an athletics reduction of $10,000 targeted at transportation or site-management efficiencies, and a change to an ELL coordination stipend reflecting increased administrative capacity from the director of student family support (Nilda Arizari).

Administrators told the committee they sought to preserve direct classroom staffing and maintain service levels; they said the reductions aim to avoid layoffs and to prioritize non-classroom, lower-impact lines where feasible.

Committee members asked whether other town departments would be affected and whether additional state aid later in the year could permit a supplemental appropriation; administrators said the town manager must balance competing town needs (for example, DPW staffing) and that if additional state aid arrives the committee could seek a supplemental appropriation at town meeting as occurred the prior year.

The committee voted by roll call to approve the revised budget and send it to the town manager. The meeting also approved a consent agenda covering five building-use requests (three Park & Rec camps, one dance recital, and one PTO event) and then voted to move into executive session to prepare for collective bargaining; those motions were recorded separately.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve consent agenda (five building-use items): motion moved and seconded; roll call: Adam — yes; Jamie — yes; Julie — yes; Zach — yes; Estelle — yes; Chair — yes. Outcome: approved.
- Approve revised FY26 school department budget of $44,776,482.92 with general fund allocation $41,394,307.44 and submit to town manager for inclusion in annual town meeting (5/13/2025): motion moved and seconded; roll call: Adam — yes; Jamie — yes; Julie — yes; Zach — yes; Estelle — yes; Chair — yes. Outcome: approved.
- Adjourn to executive session for collective bargaining preparation and executive minutes release: motion moved and seconded; roll call: Adam — yes; Jamie — yes; Julie — yes; Zach — yes; Estelle — yes; Chair — yes. Outcome: approved.

Administrators emphasized the budget season remains active and that the proposed reductions are intended to be reversible if additional state aid materializes and the committee secures a supplemental appropriation at town meeting.