Abington School Committee Proposes 7.7% Budget Increase for FY26
Early Education Program to Raise Tuition Over Three Years
ABINGTON - January 7 - The Abington School Committee has proposed a preliminary budget of $33,179,294 for fiscal year 2026, representing a 7.7% increase from the previous year. The budget aims to maintain reasonable class sizes, address growing needs in special education and mental health, and continue the commitment to one-on-one technology for students in grades 5-12.
Dr. Felicia Moschella, the Superintendent, outlined key additions in full time employee counts, including a 0.8 increase in an English learner teacher, a fifth grade teacher at Abington Middle School, a therapeutic learning center teacher at the middle school, and a 0.4 increase in a school adjustment counselor for the Woodsdale Elementary School.
"This budget tonight maintains reasonable class sizes in pre-K to 12. It addresses the growing needs of our EL, special education, and mental health needs of our students," Dr. Moschella said.
The budget increase includes $1,286,351 for contractual obligations and $244,925 for new positions. The district anticipates a decrease of $31,765 in special education tuitions but expects a $360,777 decrease in state circuit breaker reimbursements.
Transportation costs are set to rise, with a 3% increase for home-to-school busing and an additional $85,000 for a new bus route. Special education transportation is projected to increase by 10%, totaling $75,020.
The budget also allocates $352,285 for technology and instructional materials, including $240,000 for laptop replacements.
Committee members discussed the possibility of moving laptop replacement costs to the capital plan, a strategy used in previous years. Dr. Moschella stated, "I felt it was important to include it in our operating budget and then if it has to be moved out to balance the town budget then I would hope that the town would consider it as a capital item."
In a separate agenda item, the Abington Early Education Program proposed a structured tuition increase over the next three years. Annie Robinson, Director of the program, presented the plan which includes an 8% increase for the coming school year, 10% for 2026-27, and 12% for 2027-28.
Robinson explained that the program's tuition has not increased since 2015. The current annual rate for two half-day sessions per week is $1,100.
"Our goal is really to get ourselves to the middle. We want to be right in the middle of what our neighboring districts are charging for their program," Robinson said.
The program serves both community peers, who pay tuition, and students receiving special education services, who attend free of charge. Enrollment of community peers has been growing, with the program operating a waiting list for the past three years.
Robinson highlighted curriculum improvements made in recent years, including the purchase of materials aligning with those used at Beaver Brook Elementary School.
Committee members expressed concern about potential impacts on enrollment due to the tuition increase. Robinson acknowledged the possibility but emphasized the need for improvements.
"We might lose some of our peers based on our increase," Robinson said. "But I also do, and I think we as a group really feel like we're a bargain right now. And in order to continue making the improvements that we want to make and need to make for our students to increase our, what we're doing educationally for our students, it's really important that we do this."
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Christopher Basta added that even with the increases, the program's tuition remains below that of private preschools in the area.
The committee approved both the preliminary budget and the tuition increase proposal. The budget will be submitted for consideration at the annual town meeting.
The next regular school committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the library.