Schools Outline Plan to Close $2.5M Budget Gap

School Committee · Meeting of March 2, 2026

Watertown School Committee opened budget talks facing a $2.5 million fiscal 2027 deficit. Superintendent Galston told members the district plans to close most of the gap using $750,000 in Circuit Breaker funds, $750,000 in prepaid tuition, and $850,239 in staff attrition savings, while weighing $250,000 in reinstated athletic fees and $100,000 in higher bus fees. Student Services presenter Kathy Damaris projected special education tuition at $10,568,506 for 64 outplaced students and transportation costs rising 6 percent to $1,670,560.

About $1.3 million in priority requests, including an inclusion coach, compete for a surplus officials estimated at under $500,000. One committee member argued the district should ask the city for more than its 4 percent guidance, calling the alternative "selling our democratic process short." A recommended budget vote is set for March 27.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of March 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.