School Committee backs superintendent’s budget

The School Committee last week voted unanimously in support of Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem’s proposed $36.2 million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Hashem’s spending plan is nearly $2.5 million more than the $33.8 million operating budget approved at last May’s Annual town Meeting.

The Finance Committee will review the School Department budget soon after March 1 – the deadline for Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree to submit his total budget. Crabtree will unveil his budget to selectmen sometime between Feb. 15 and March 1.

Hashem’s request for a budget increase includes:

• Fixed cost increases, contractual obligations and potential out-of-district placements, which account for $1,4532,889 – or 59 percent of the total requested increase. These so-called Tier One details and costs included collective bargaining agreements, Special Education Out of District Tuition and SPED transportation in addition to regular day transportation.
• $219,581 of the proposed budget increase involved expenses charged previously to Emergency Assistance Grants. These expenses involve curriculum materials in each of the three school buildings, districtwide professional development and two full-time equivalent English Language Learner (ELL) teachers.
• $592,806 of the increase involves money reserves for all bargaining units negotiations and non-unit Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase.
• Hashem described “the highest priority for additional staff.” He earmarked $209,162 for a full-time equivalent certified occupational therapist assistant, a full-time equivalent High School math teacher, a full-time equivalent High School Social Studies teacher and a part-time school psychologist.

The superintendent’s proposed FY 26 budget identified nine “cost centers” within the budget, noting the proposed spending plan along with the increase.

Saugus Public Schools at a Glance

Veterans Early Learning Center: a $4.5 million proposed budget, a $113,051 increase, 66.38 full-time equivalent employees.

Belmonte STEAM Academy: a $7.1 million proposed budget, a $262,395 increase, 95.88 full-time equivalent employees.

Saugus Middle School: a $5.6 million proposed budget, a $108,909 increase, 64.26 full-time equivalent employees.

Saugus High School: a $7.6 million proposed budget, a $243,340 increase, 76 full-time equivalent employees.

Administration: a $1.2 million proposed budget, a $28,505 increase, 10.48 full-time equivalent employees.

Buildings and Grounds: a $910,091 proposed budget, no increase, 1 full-time equivalent employee (an outside contractor).

Non-Instructional Services: an $859,688 proposed budget, a $45,150 increase, 6.88 full-time equivalent employees.

District-Wide Instruction: a $1.9 million proposed budget, a $760,941 increase, 2.50 full-time equivalent employees.

Special Education: a $6.7 million proposed budget, a $912,147 increase, 30.35 full-time equivalent employees.

Total: a $36.2 million proposed budget, a $2.5 million increase, 353.73 full-time equivalent employees.