By Whats Up Worcester Staff
WORCESTER, Mass. — The Worcester School Committee is scheduled to consider and vote on a proposed $557,429,649 Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget during its meeting on Thursday, June 25, at Worcester City Hall.
The proposed budget is the largest item on the committee’s agenda and outlines funding for instructional programs, employee salaries and benefits, transportation, special education, school operations, facilities, athletics, instructional materials, and other district services for the upcoming fiscal year.
According to the official Worcester Public Schools agenda, the budget recommendation comes from district administration and is listed as an item for committee approval. If approved, the budget will guide district spending during Fiscal Year 2027. The School Committee is scheduled to begin budget deliberations at 4:00 p.m., followed by executive session at 6:00 p.m. and open session at 6:30 p.m.
Largest Areas of Spending
The proposed budget allocates funding across dozens of departments and operational accounts. Among the largest expenditures are:
- Teacher Salaries: $257,294,979
- Health Insurance: $74,340,454
- Retirement: $30,850,043
- Special Education Tuition: $24,887,162
- Paraeducator Salaries: $24,452,902
- Administration Salaries: $23,800,156
- Transportation Salaries: $17,772,548
- Facilities Department: $10,968,874
- Building Utilities: $10,061,747
- School Nurse Salaries: $8,659,408
- Miscellaneous Education (Non-Salary): $8,135,013
- Non-Instructional Support Salaries: $7,448,067
- Transportation: $6,693,186
- Instructional Materials: $5,678,119
- Classroom Substitute Salaries: $4,632,945
Additional funding is proposed for custodial services, maintenance, athletics, educational support staff, clerical staff, workers’ compensation, unemployment costs, overtime, and other district operations.
Special Revenue Funds
In addition to the General Fund budget, Worcester Public Schools expects to receive funding through several special revenue sources. Those include:
- Nutrition Program: $18.36 million
- Grant Programs: $38.76 million
- Other Special Revenue Funds: $9.26 million
These funds support programs that are financed separately from the district’s primary operating budget.
Previous Budget Discussions
Budget discussions have been underway throughout June. During the June 4 budget deliberation meeting, School Committee members reviewed transportation costs, athletics, employee health insurance, retirement expenses, instructional materials, facilities, special education tuition, and other major spending categories.
Committee members also discussed transportation needs, healthcare premium increases, graduation expenses, after-school programming, and costs associated with special education services before approving multiple budget accounts for recommendation. Among the discussion points were:
- An increase in the district’s van fleet to support transportation services.
- An estimated 8 percent increase in health insurance costs.
- Continued investment in after-school programming through community partnerships.
- Funding for instructional materials and classroom furniture.
- Ongoing support for special education services and out-of-district tuition.
What Happens Next
If approved by the School Committee on June 25, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget will serve as Worcester Public Schools’ operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Residents may attend the meeting in person at Worcester City Hall or participate remotely through the virtual meeting option provided by Worcester Public Schools. Public comment is scheduled as part of the meeting agenda before committee members take action on agenda items. The complete budget book and supporting financial documents are available through Worcester Public Schools as part of the June 25 School Committee agenda.
🔍 The W.U.W. Verification Box
- Project / Topic: Worcester Public Schools Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
- Current Status: Scheduled for School Committee consideration on June 25, 2026.
- Key Dates or Decisions: June 4, 2026: School Committee held budget deliberations. June 25, 2026: Committee scheduled to vote on the FY27 budget.
- Estimated Cost (if applicable): $557,429,649 General Fund Budget.
- Timeline (if known): Budget would take effect for Fiscal Year 2027 upon approval.
- Immediate Next Steps: The School Committee will review and vote on the proposed budget during its June 25 meeting.
- Primary Sources: Worcester Public Schools June 25, 2026 School Committee Agenda, FY27 Budget Book, June 4, 2026 Budget Deliberation Minutes.
- What We Do Not Yet Know: Whether the School Committee will approve the proposed budget as presented or amend any spending items before final approval.
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