January 23, 2026

Our commitment is to ensure that every student in Belmont has the opportunity, support, and resources needed to learn, grow, and thrive. Our school budget is the primary vehicle through which we equip our educators with what they need to deliver on that commitment—investing strategically in the people, tools, and support systems that enable excellent teaching and learning. I want to provide you with an update on the development of the FY27 Belmont Public Schools budget.

FY27 Budget Development Update

I last shared an FY27 budget update on December 12, 2025, with information about the first draft presented on December 2 (memo and presentation). Since that time, we have brought forward two additional drafts to the School Committee:

These drafts reflect continued collaboration and refinement as we align our financial planning with our District's Strategic Plan and the Town's revenue allocation.

Supporting Educators

Our educators are at the heart of this work. The quality of education in Belmont's schools depends directly on our ability to provide teachers and staff with the staffing, resources, and structures they need to do their best work. With the support of the School Committee, this budget supports educators by adding staff to share the work in meeting student needs and expanding access to high-quality curriculum.

Building Sustainable, In-District Capacity

This budget prioritizes strengthening our ability to serve students within Belmont by investing in in-district staffing and supports.

Key focus areas include:

By shifting resources from contracted services to district positions, we are strengthening the collaborative teams and ensuring educators have consistent colleagues to help address students’ complex learning needs

This approach aligns with our strategic priorities for academic excellence, equity, and student well-being.

Community Support and Long-Term Sustainability

These investments that bring in more staff and resources are made possible with the support of the taxpayers of Belmont, who recognize that educating our children is fundamental to the community's success. Indeed, when facing an ongoing structural deficit in April 2024, Belmont voters demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and building town and school services in approving the override. 

In BPS, we aim to create sustainable systems where educators have what they need to meet students where they are. Building this capacity within our District—rather than relying on external services—we are creating sustainable systems for our teachers and support staff to deliver cohesive, coordinated programming that is responsive to our community's needs. 

Looking Ahead

As the proposed FY27 budget moves towards final adoption later this spring, we will continue to explore efficiencies and opportunities for restoration. Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together to strengthen our schools by investing in the people who make excellent education possible every day.