SAUGUS — After tabling the vote on the FY27 budget last week, the School Committee came together Thursday night to approve a slightly amended budget, incorporating the feedback they received during the last public comment period.
“After taking into consideration what all the public comment was, and how parents feel, and how the staff feels, because as Mr. (Brian) Doherty pointed out, we don’t really get that chance during the budget season, this is the start of something different,” Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge said.
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hashem noted that the budget presented last week totaled $37,485,066, an increase of $2,716,531 from FY26.
“That was constituted by fixed cost that we have to endure… We did have a couple of critical requests that the principals made above what they had now, and that added up to another $195,790. So, that was all in what we titled the budget itemization,” Hashem said.
The budget includes cost increases, two noon aides for the Veterans Early Learning Center, a STEAM specialist for the Belmonte STEAM Academy, a paraprofessional for the Belmonte, a special education teacher for the middle school, and additional educational supplies for the middle school and high school.
Whittredge emphasized that the schools have to be equipped and prepared due to the increase in children per class.
“Just so everybody knows, and I don’t care, people can get mad all they want, but I’m going to tell you right now, the big contracts don’t help. We can’t have it both ways. We can’t have these big raises, and we can’t ask for all these teachers at the same time. What we’re trying to do is work within our means, and we’re trying to come up with a solution,” he said.
Whittredge also noted that Hashem is looking into using the Supplemental Student Support Reserve Fund to address crowded classrooms and better support students.
After the brief discussion, Committee member Dennis Gould made a motion to increase the school budget by $121,308 to add four instructional paraprofessionals for classroom support at the Belmonte, a subject that was heavily mentioned at the last Committee meeting.
“This would increase the Superintendent’s budget from $37,485,066 to $37,606,374 and increase the budget ask from different groups from $2,716,531 to $2,837,839,” Gould said.
Gould said he had been struck by Doherty’s mention that the public comment needed to happen before the meeting to vote on the budget, so it actually affected the budget.
“I think we need a budget that addresses all the needs, of course, for the Saugus School District,” he said.
Gould noted that it was important to address the needs of special education students, those with learning disabilities, English Language Learners, students with personal problems, and those excelling in the classroom.
Doherty then commented on how the budget process is going to change over time to better include the comments the Committee receives, giving them the chance to “dig in.”
“I think that there should be public comment earlier in the year, not just in the 11th hour, so we’re going to work on a timeline to have some feedback, and we’ll work with Mike (Hashem) and the rest of the Board to really have some sessions with people who are involved,” Doherty said.
Committee member Shannon McCarthy commented on the message sent to the Committee over the past week.
“There is clearly a consistent message about what matters most, and it’s reasonable classroom sizes, strong classroom support, and access to services students need to succeed,” she said.
The Committee noted that they understand the financial restraints they are under, and that there is work to be done in the next two years with the budget, but made it clear that they were working to try and help better the learning environment for the kids and give the teachers the support they need.
In the end, the vote was unanimous to support the amended budget motioned by Gould.
