North Reading School Committee approves two contracts, opens FY2027 budget hearing

NORTH READING — April 13, 2026 — North Reading School Committee unanimously approved two union contracts and opened a formal hearing on a $42.5 million FY2027 school budget that carries a 4.3 percent spending increase and a $32,781 remaining gap. Business Manager Michael Connelly told the committee the budget grew by roughly $300,000 since March after new special education tuitions and transportation costs emerged for recently enrolled students, and that a one-time $582,000 circuit-breaker reimbursement boost helped stabilize revenues this year but will not repeat. The proposal restores approximately 3.5 of 25 positions cut over the past two years, adds academic intervention tutors, and holds user fees flat. The paraprofessionals contract runs FY2026 to FY2029 at cost-of-living increases of 4, 3, and 4 percent; the administrative assistants contract covers the same period at 3, 3, and 3 percent — both approved 5-0. State Representative Bruce Attar warned that more than 270 Massachusetts school districts now receive only minimum per-pupil aid, up from roughly 211 a year ago, and the governor's House 2 proposal puts North Reading's Chapter 70 increase at approximately $170,000. Committee member Tim Sutherland said the district is "walking towards a fiscal cliff in the next year," and multiple members signaled an override campaign is under active discussion ahead of the June 1 town meeting.