The Newburyport School Committee voted to approve the fiscal year 2026 budget on April 29, adopting an overall 1.27% spending increase while shifting more costs to school choice and revolving accounts to keep the city allocation below the 3% guideline. The motion to adopt the budget passed after discussion; one member recorded a “present” vote.

Committee members said the budget is intended to maintain programs built over the past seven years amid uncertainty about federal and state funding. Superintendent (name not specified) described the proposal as a “survival budget to protect the programs that we've built over the past 7 years.”

Committee members and city officials discussed key revenue and cost pressures affecting the plan. The committee noted a proposed House Ways and Means increase to Chapter 70 per-pupil aid, a possible rise in circuit breaker reimbursement and state-level support for school meal programs. The superintendent told the committee that the House proposal would increase Chapter 70 aid by $75–$150 per student and estimated that change would yield about $300,000 for Newburyport.

Board members pressed staff for details on how the district would use revolving accounts and school choice to cover recurring costs. The superintendent said the district expects to carry forward roughly $300,000–$400,000 in the school choice account next year and described a strategy of using those and other revolving accounts to offset the city appropriation this year. He also said the athletic revolving account currently holds about $310,000 but will carry forward a smaller balance next year (an estimated $70,000–$75,000).

Committee discussion flagged specific cost items: projected health insurance increases (cited by one member at about 14.8%, described in the meeting as roughly $900,000 for school employees), a recent $16,000 spike in Chromebook procurement costs, and continued special education transportation pressures tied to circuit breaker reimbursement rates (currently at 75% reimbursement, per the superintendent). The budget also reduces unfilled positions by about 5.87 full-time equivalents and consolidates some stipends and overtime budgets, the superintendent said.

Several members sought reassurance the district would preserve core programs. The superintendent said the proposed staffing and program choices were made to “maintain all of the great things that we've built up for 7 years” and emphasized using revolving funds conservatively so money remains available for unanticipated midyear needs, such as enrolling new students.

The budget motion was made, seconded and approved by roll call; the meeting transcript records multiple “aye” votes and one committee member voting “present.” The superintendent and staff will proceed with implementation and prepare any necessary follow-up reports to the committee.

Less critical details discussed but not changed by the vote included continuing contract negotiations with AFSCME, final settling of the IA contracts and an MOU with the NTA, and ongoing monitoring of federal developments that could affect entitlement grants such as IDEA.