Waltham School Committee Unanimously Approves $132.8 Million FY27 Operating Budget Framework

WALTHAM -- June 23, 2026, Waltham School Committee unanimously approves $132.8 million FY27 school budget framework at special summer session. The committee voted 6-0 twice Monday night, first to set the fiscal year 2027 operating budget at $132,847,897 across four cost categories (personnel, operating expenses, equipment, and special items), then to direct Superintendent Dr. Mendonza and her staff to return with a fully detailed budget book before the July 9 regular meeting. Chief Financial Officer Paul Mazza presented a cost-center summary reflecting a $9.5 million increase approved by the mayor and city council, $4 million less than the department's original $13.5 million request, with key changes including removal of a $320,000 boiler appropriation to a separate small capital fund and reconciliation of roughly $900,000 in out-of-district special education transportation costs with the city auditor. The meeting ended in recess while staff retrieved a clerk-stamped copy of the revised agenda to resolve a procedural dispute over whether two addendum items, superintendent performance metrics and a July 1 assistant superintendent contract, could be taken up at a special meeting.