LONGMEADOW, Mass. — The Longmeadow School Committee voted Feb. 11 to approve a proposed fiscal year 2026 school budget of $44,852,879.12 and forward it to the town manager for inclusion on the warrant for annual town meeting on May 13, 2025. The committee recorded a roll-call vote that produced three votes in favor and one opposed.

Committee members and administrators said the recommended budget reflects rising costs the state'level "foundation budget" now calculates while Chapter 78 increases and other state revenue sources lag, leaving more of the burden on the town. Committee members and district leaders warned those funding dynamics are driving the bulk of the required increase.

Superintendent Tom said the discrepancy between the foundation budget and the Chapter 78 contribution creates a systemic challenge for districts. "It puts additional pressure on Longmeadow," he said, describing how the foundation budget calculation has risen faster than Chapter 78 adjustments and other state revenue streams.

The committee and district staff highlighted several drivers of rising costs cited in a coalition statement distributed to members the same day: insufficient Chapter 70/78 increases, rising out'of'district special-education tuition, and higher student-transportation costs. The superintendent and staff said the district is projecting a FY26 total budget and that the recommended amount would provide level services for the coming year while the town and committee continue budget discussions.

Committee member Michaela (last name not specified) pressed staff on the district's use of circuit-breaker funding for students with disabilities and reported that the district is seeking every eligible reimbursement. "I can say with absolute confidence that every single question I asked ... made me very confident that our district is using every funding and grant possible to fund the higher cost of all students, but most especially with the circuit breaker," Michaela said.

Administrators noted recent and projected increases in out-of-district special-education tuition. The committee previously wrote a letter last year after a roughly 14% tuition increase and was told the district is now facing an additional estimated 3.7% increase this year, costs set by the state Operational Services Division and largely outside local control. Transportation costs for both special-education and regular-day routes were also listed as a rising expense.

The motion that carried directs the committee to submit the recommended FY26 budget with a general-fund allocation of $41,475,703.64 to the town manager for inclusion at the May 13, 2025 annual town meeting. Committee members said the budget season remains ongoing and the school committee will meet the select board on March 3 to discuss the budget further.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes: Motion to approve minutes of the Feb. 4, 2025 school committee meeting — approved (roll-call recorded; yes votes recorded during the meeting).
- FY 2026 budget: Motion to approve the FY 2026 proposed school department budget in the amount of $44,852,879.12, with a general-fund allocation of $41,475,703.64, and submit it to the town manager for inclusion on the May 13, 2025 annual town meeting — approved (recorded roll-call: Mikaela ' yes; Adam ' no; Julie ' yes; another committee member ' yes; tally 3 yes, 1 no).
- Executive session motion: Motion to enter executive session under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), for a strategy session in preparation for collective bargaining and to reconvene in open session — approved (recorded roll-call: Mikaela yes; Julie yes; Adam yes; another committee member yes).

The committee also acknowledged a coalition letter signed by multiple statewide education groups urging creative responses to the fiscal environment; the letter was distributed with the meeting packet. Administrators said DESE conducted an audit of English learner services and returned recommendations on procedures and interventions; the district is continuing internal work on instructional quality, social-emotional supports and training for staff.

The committee plans to continue budget talks with the select board on March 3 and to reconvene in public session on Feb. 25 to continue regular business. No final changes to the recommended budget were made at the Feb. 11 meeting.