Superintendent’s Budget Message - April 2026
Dear Acton and Boxborough Residents,
I am writing to share the FY2027 Budget for the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. This budget represents a major turning point for our schools as we implement AB Forward , our strategic plan to reorganize and stabilize our district for the future. We are deeply grateful for the support you have shown our students. However, we face a difficult reality: state funding has not kept up with inflation, and our local costs continue to rise. This year, we have moved beyond making small cuts and have instead redesigned how our district operates to protect the classroom experience and provide the support our students need.
The AB Forward Strategic Plan
The AB Forward strategic plan was developed through a comprehensive process that included surveys and focus groups with community members and stakeholders to identify the metrics and goals necessary to guide the district through upcoming changes. The strategy is anchored by four primary priority areas:
● Student Academic Outcomes & Social-Emotional Wellbeing ● Responsive Support for Staff
● Welcoming & Inclusive School Communities ● Sustainable District Systems & Operations
The reorganization of elementary schools is a central component of the Sustainable District Systems & Operations priority. This area focuses on creating "educationally effective and financially sustainable" systems by "right-sizing" the district’s footprint to align with projected enrollment declines. By shifting from six schools to five, the district can direct resources based on student needs and maximize the impact of every dollar spent. This structural change allows the district to reduce its reliance on one-time reserve funds and maintain efficient administrative staffing levels, ensuring that resources are reinvested into high-quality instruction and specialized supports for students.
The Challenge of Increasing Student Needs
While our overall enrollment has decreased by about 11.5% since 2015, the actual work of our staff has become more complex. Today, one out of every three students in our district is classified as having "high needs." This group includes students with disabilities, those learning English as a second language, and students from low-income households.
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