Norfolk School Committee unanimously advances $16.9 million FY27 budget proposal

NORFOLK -- February 10, 2026, Norfolk School Committee advances $16.9 million FY27 school budget with a 4.08 percent increase. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to preview a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget of $16,896,760, a $662,382 increase over the current year, driven largely by $598,588 in salary costs including step and lane changes, six retirements generating $179,363 in savings, and restorations of positions cut in prior years. Business Manager Miriam Goodman cautioned that roughly $500,000 in one-time Bay State Respite Shelter reimbursement funds currently covering an English language learner teacher, a para, and part of the math curriculum will be "gone after fiscal 27." The committee separately approved a 5 percent SAC tuition increase, the first since 2021, raising the morning before-school rate from $10 to $10.50, and established new substitute pay rates of $20 per hour for custodial staff and $18 for food service staff, positions for which the district currently has zero applicants. The full draft budget goes to a public hearing at the March 10 School Committee meeting.