ABINGTON - January 6, 2026 - The Abington School Committee unanimously approved a $34,358,222 preliminary school department budget for Fiscal Year 2027. Represents a 5.41% increase over the current year, the “level service” plan adds no new staff or programs, with the $1.76 million hike driven almost entirely by contractual salary obligations and soaring costs for transportation and electricity.
The Full Story
Superintendent Dr. Felicia Moschella presented the FY27 preliminary budget during a public hearing Tuesday night, characterizing it as a necessary measure to maintain current educational standards without expansion.
“It is a level service budget,” Moschella told the committee. “It takes everything that we have today and, with the increases associated with it, replicates it next year. We haven’t added any staff, we haven’t added any curriculum or new programs.”
The total operating budget request stands at $34,358,222, an increase of $1,763,957 (5.41%) over FY26.
Drivers of the Increase Moschella detailed that approximately 75% of the budget is allocated to salaries, which will rise by over $1.15 million due to settled collective bargaining agreements. However, non-salary fixed costs are seeing sharp escalations:
Regular Education Transportation: Projected to jump 20% ($231,278) as the district enters a new contract cycle.
Electricity: Expected to rise 12% ($58,586) under a new town-wide contract.
Building Maintenance: Increased by 15% ($74,874) to address aging infrastructure at elementary schools.
Circuit Breaker Reimbursement: A projected revenue loss of $232,754 due to a lower reimbursement rate (70%) and fewer eligible high-cost special education placements.
Committee member Heidi Hernandez noted the difficulty of the situation, highlighting that the largest line-item jumps are mandatory.
“A lot of what we’re seeing in this budget is things that there’s no way around... It’s a huge number, but a lot of these... biggest increases we’re seeing right now are things that are literally out of our control.” — Heidi Hernandez [[18:24]]
Kindergarten Enrollment Surge Beyond the budget, administrators are preparing for a potential spike in enrollment. Demographic data suggests an incoming kindergarten class of over 200 students—approximately 40 more than the current cohort. Dr. Moschella indicated this could require maintaining eight kindergarten sections, potentially squeezing space at the Beaver Brook Elementary School by repurposing areas currently used for small group work or special services.
editor’s note: these will be the children born in 2021, a COVID-19 baby boom seen in a few other districts as well
New Literacy Curriculum Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christopher Basta provided an update on the “Literacy Launch,” a state-funded initiative to overhaul English Language Arts (ELA) instruction in grades K-5. Abington received a $293,600 Prism Grant to evaluate and select high-quality instructional materials.
A review team is currently analyzing data and expects to recommend a new, unified reading program by April or May for implementation next school year. The purchase will be funded through a combination of the grant and $100,000 previously appropriated by the town.
Why It Matters
For Abington taxpayers, this budget signals that the cost of maintaining the status quo is rising significantly. Residents will be funding a 5.4% increase not for new services, smaller classes, or expanded extracurriculars, but simply to keep the lights on, buses running, and existing staff employed. The 20% spike in transportation and 12% hike in electricity reflect broader inflationary pressures that are now hitting the municipal ledger.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To submit for the Annual Town Meeting warrant a proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget figure of $34,358,222.
Vote: 5-0 [[33:51]]
Motion: To submit for the Annual Town Meeting warrant a proposed figure of $19,092 for vocational student transportation.
Vote: 5-0 [[35:51]]
Motion: To enter into Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(2) to discuss the superintendent contract.
Vote: 5-0 [[57:05]]
Public Comment
No members of the public spoke during the budget hearing or the regular public comment period.
What’s Next
Budget Process: The approved budget now heads to the Town Manager and Finance Committee for review before the Annual Town Meeting.
Curriculum: The ELA review team will meet in late January to begin reviewing specific reading programs.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.