Finance Committee hears SPS FY27 budget, approves annual report 8-0

SUDBURY -- February 2, 2026, Sudbury schools close FY27 gap with circuit-breaker draws, four position cuts and senior-retiree savings. Superintendent Brad Crozier and Business Director Don Sawyer told the Finance Committee on Feb. 2 the district will add three classroom sections for 60 new students at roughly $248,000, plus a $42,000 half-time middle school math teacher, while drawing about $460,000 from circuit breaker to cover special education tuition and transportation increases. To meet town manager guidance, the district cut software subscriptions $80,000, reduced one EL position and three educational support professionals, and booked $460,000 in turnover savings, four senior retirements alone produced $249,000. Member Henry Sorett pressed Crozier on FY28 contingency planning: "I don't want us digging a hole and facing either significant cuts, or override and override." Assistant Town Manager Victor Garofalo said the town will fund $500,000 in OPEB from $325,000 free cash and $175,000 from the levy, raising SPS guidance by $200,000. The committee voted 8-0 to approve its 2025 annual report submission; member Karl Fries was absent.