NAHANT — The School Committee voted to approve the latest version of the proposed 2026-2027 Johnson Elementary School budget during its latest meeting.
According to Superintendent Rob Liebow, the next step for the proposed budget is to be reviewed by the Finance Committee.
This version includes a proposed increase of $555,451.81. It was noted that the FY26 budget was an increase of $112,109 from FY25. It also proposes adjustments to the staff salary to an increase of 3.5%, as well as an increase of two English for Specific Purposes to cover special education requirements.
It also proposed the expansion of the English Language Arts/math interventionist to a full-time position, including the addition of a full-time literacy coach. This version would also add an increase of $10,000 in professional development over FY25 expenditures.
The budget also sought an increase of $40,000 in the contracted services line item to cover the costs of a new part-time Special Education Director. It also included an increase in the occupational therapist contracted service line of $23,310.
Another element of the proposed budget aimed for a 2.5% contractual increase and mediated agreements to the Swampscott Public School tuition line for grades 7-12.
There was a proposed out-of-district (OOD) special education tuition increase of $177,697, an OOD special education transportation increase of $105,112, and a total OOD special education increase for FY27 at $282,810, which the Committee offset by applying $225,000 in circuit breaker funds.
The budget proposed the use of $57,077 in additional preschool funds beyond the $204,060 in related salaries, which are charged out to the preschool revolving account, in order to further reduce the budget increase.
