NAHANT — Johnson Elementary School Principal Kevin Andrews sat down Friday morning to discuss updates on the school’s budget and what those updates could mean for the school and its students.
During previous School Committee meetings, Superintendent of Schools Rob Liebow presented several versions of a proposed budget. The committee encountered roadblocks during discussions due to the rising costs for special education, transportation, and tuition.
To put the school on the best possible path forward, Liebow presented a fourth version of the proposed budget, which the School Committee ultimately agreed upon as the most viable option.
In this latest budget version, Liebow noted the significant impacts on the fiscal 2026 (FY26) budget. Costs for additional education support professionals increased by $40,214, according to Liebow. Tuition costs paid to Swampscott increased by 2.5% totaling $42,741, which includes charges for grade-six students in the 2023-24 school year.
For out-of-district tuitions and transportation, Liebow noted a substantial increase of $320,647. He added that the total overall budget-to-budget increase was 2.36%, or $112,109.
Out-of-district transportation saw an increase of $27,253. The district’s cost for a technical center decreased by $31,445 due to a reduction in students attending, from 14 down to 11.
Liebow also highlighted the total changes in district spending from the FY25 to FY26 budgets, amounting to $190,859. Tuition for junior and senior high school students increased by $42,741; costs associated with the superintendent’s office rose by $4,114, and School Committee expenses increased by $1,696.
“I’m happy to say that after lots of back-and-forth between the School Committee and the Superintendent, the Superintendent was able to propose a budget that will support a part-time intervention specialist next year,” Andrews said.
Andrews said the school expects to use this new specialist position primarily for math and reading intervention, helping students who have fallen behind academically in these subjects.
“Ever since COVID-19, we still have some small gaps in learning, and some kids really need help,” Andrews said. “So, the School Committee has been very good at promoting the idea of having a reading specialist at the school.”
Andrews continued, “We’re looking to use the new school budget to close any gaps that students might still have.”
He also mentioned funding for a student adjustment counselor.
“With previous COVID-19 funding we were able to bring her onboard five days a week, but of course that money’s going away,” Andrews explained. “But, the Superintendent was able to find a way to get her in the budget five days a week, so that’s another thing that we were really pushing for.”
