Finance Committee hears SPS budget pressures, signals override conversation ahead

SUDBURY -- December 11, 2025, Sudbury FinCom hears $467K SPED overrun and warns an override may be unavoidable. Superintendent Brad Crozier and SPS finance director Don Sawyer told the Finance Committee out-of-district special education is running about $316,000 over budget on tuition plus $153,000 on transportation, covered by state circuit-breaker funds that leave just $200,000 for the rest of FY26, "the lowest amount available in years," Sawyer said. Member Ryan Lynch said the town is at an "inflection point where the inevitability of having overrides is upon us," while John Baranowsky urged waiting until FY28 for a comprehensive plan covering all three cost centers. Town Manager Andrew Sheehan said he is not revising his 3.75 percent budget guidance and confirmed he and Finance Director Victor Garofalo have joined SPS contract negotiations at the School Committee's request. Crozier rejected the framing of a circulated 7.1 percent FY27 driver list as a draft budget. The committee adjourned 7-0 at 9:46 p.m.