05/16/2026
Following up on what has been happening since 3/27, when the WPS Administration proposed a level service budget and Weymouth School Committee voted in favor of supporting this necessary 5.27% increase to maintain the same services as this year. (Thank you WSC/WPS Admin!)
Many who read the Mayor’s WPS budget proposal letter (published April 16th) likely believed WPS would receive level service funding (maintaining same services as this year), but this is not the case.
A group of parents have been attending School Committee budget sub-meetings and Town Council meetings to better understand the letter and the budget book. Here’s what we’ve learned:
Key Clarifications:
• The letter’s reference to a WPS/School Committee FY27 level service request of $98,877,714 was an error.
• The claim that the Mayor’s FY27 appropriation fully meets level service is incorrect and misleading.
• Actual WPS/Weymouth School Committee FY27 level service request: $94,877,714 (+5.27% from FY26).
• Mayor’s FY27 WPS operating budget: $93,249,479 (+3.5% from FY26).
• Operating budget shortfall: $1,628,235 (-1.8%).
Additional Details:
• Includes $500K from Free Cash (a source of one-time funding dollars) for “Special Education Reserve for Unfunded ESPs”
→ Not part of the operating budget; restricted use only.
This shortfall adds to those of recent years:
• FY25: -$1,673,359
• FY26: -$1,965,216
• Total underfunding (last 2 years): $3,638,575
FY27 will again require WPS to close a $1,628,235 gap.
How the Gap Gets Filled:
• Fee increases
- WHS sports
- Extra-curriculars
- Bus transportation
- Pre-school tuition
- Program eliminations
- Staff reductions (TBD)
- Potential internal shifts via “attrition” (retirements/resignations), e.g. $745K “Fund SPED”
Big Picture:
Level service increases have been ~5% annually — not sustainable given revenue limits.
State and federal changes are needed, but typically take years to take effect.
In the meantime, Weymouth’s Mayor and Town Council must identify new revenue sources.
Important Context:
• Weymouth is in the bottom 1/3 in MA for per-pupil spending.
• Taxes are lower than surrounding towns, but we urge parents to consider supporting an override to fund schools above level service next year.
• Our kids, educators, and our town needs and deserves it.
How You Can Help:
Monday 5/18 – Town Council final budget meeting
This is the ONLY public comment opportunity → speak if you can!
Not comfortable speaking? Just show up to support WPS.
Monday, May 18th- Town Hall, 7:30pm
