Wellesley Public Schools: Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
known needs of the district and the ability to fund these within the Town’s financial position. Budget guidelines have varied over the years. Below is a historical view of the school department budget guidelines:
Fiscal Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Select Board Guideline
School Committee Guideline
School Department Increase
4.00% 4.00% 3.50% 3.50% 3.00%
4.50% 4.00% 4.50% 4.00% 3.65%
4.98% 4.25% 3.49% 3.44% 3.37%
2021 Modified 3.50% + Spec. Ed. Funding
Model 1: 3.50% Model 2: 3.50% + Spec. Ed. Model 3: 4.25% + Spec. Ed. Model 1: 2.50% Model 2: Level Service Model 1: 2.75% Model 2: Level Service
3.82% + Spec. Ed. = 4.86%
2022
2.50%
2.69%
2023
2.75%
2.74%
2024
3.00%
Model 1: 3.00% Model 2: Level Service Model 3: Strategic Investments – Year 1 Model 1: 3.70% Model 2: Level Service Model 3: Strategic Investments – Year 2 Model 1: 3.25% Model 2: Level Service Model 3: Strategic Investments – Year 3
3.57% (14.00% OOD Increase)
2025
3.70%
3.70%
2026
3.25%
3.50% ($224,566 over 3.25%)
The models listed above reflect the different budget views the School Committee requested the Administration develop. The Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations provides access to the web-based budget development program to members of the Academic Council 16 in late October. As in past years, the October 1 Current and Projected Enrollment report was the basis for the expected staffing needs for the FY’26 budget. The FY’25 Adjusted Budget was the basis for the comparison for FY’26. Throughout November, the Superintendent and the Senior Staff 17 review the programmatic and financial implications of all requests. Budget meetings are held with Building Principals to discuss their requests and priorities in detail. By mid-November, the Superintendent determines the size and scope of the budget. In early December, the Administration’s Recommended Budget is submitted to the School Committee for consideration. The School Committee and Town’s Advisory Committee members assigned to the school budget, reviewing it in detail over two days. The School Committee conducts a public hearing prior to the vote to gather community feedback about the recommended budget. In late January, the School Committee votes on the budget. In early 16 The Academic Council Team includes Central Office Administrators, Principals, Assistant Principals, Director of Early Childhood Education, K-12 Directors, PreK – 12 Department Heads, METCO Director, and Nurse Leader. 17 The Senior Staff includes the Superintendent; Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning; Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations; Director of Student Services; Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Director of Educational Technology; Director of Human Resources, and Director of Communications and Community Engagement.
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