School Committee advances routine votes, previews budget
Wakefield School Committee previewed a $58.6 million fiscal 2027 budget and debated a $50 extracurricular fee hike.
School Committee · Meeting of March 10, 2026
Wakefield School Committee previewed a $58.6 million fiscal 2027 budget and debated a $50 extracurricular fee hike. Superintendent Douglas Lyons and School Business Administrator Christine Bufagna outlined a $3,176,450, or 5.73 percent, increase over this year's $55,425,161 budget, driven by special education transportation and out-of-district tuition costs that are "guided by statute." Bufagna said special education transportation spending has hit $1.2 million this year, up from $690,000 last year at this point. The proposed activities fee would rise from $175 to $225 per student, the first increase in a decade.
One member objected, saying he worries about families feeling "turned away." The committee also approved payroll warrants, meeting minutes and two $3,000 basketball coaching stipends by unanimous roll call, with the full budget vote set for March 24.
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Source: the School Committee meeting of March 10, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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