Committee Votes to Lobby For State Budget Boost

School Committee · Meeting of July 21, 2026

Wakefield School Committee voted unanimously to send state lawmakers a letter backing a $100 million supplemental budget. Committee member Kevin Fontanella said the measure, funded by the fair share surtax, could add $112 per student statewide and more than $370,000 for Wakefield schools in fiscal 2027, calling it "nice to kind of have as a little cushion." Superintendent Douglas Lyons reported Governor Maura Healey's signed fiscal 2027 budget already added roughly $700,000 in Chapter 70 and unrestricted aid. Facilities staffer Tim said electrical upgrades at Greenwood School should allow window air conditioning units in second-floor classrooms by September, after readings found rooms in the 80s during a recent heat wave.

The new Wakefield Memorial High School, at 262,000 square feet, is nearly complete on its exterior, with occupancy planned for January. The committee also approved June 23 meeting minutes, 4-0 with one abstention.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,837 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of July 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.