Braintree School Committee Eyes $6 Million Budget Increase

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree School Committee is readying to consider a more than $6 million increase in next year's budget.

To be precise, the committee would ask Mayor Charles Kokoros for an additional $6.25 million. The proposed budget includes money that the district would use for negotiating with employee unions and over $2 million to make up for federal funds that were used this year, but won't be available moving forward.

The district is also accounting for estimated cost-of-living adjustments in the 2024 number.

Superintendent James Lee presented a budget proposal to the committee at a March 20 meeting, detailing that the 2024 budget, as it currently stands, would sit at $74,732,869. The 2023 adjusted budget stands at $68,494,774.

This was the first of what will be at least two meetings to discuss the budget. The committee will again broach the subject on April 4, which predates an April 11 public hearing on the school budget.

The public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Colbert Building, 348 Pond St.

A vote amongst the committee could come at the April 24 meeting, a week before Kokoros must submit his budget to Town Council. Kokoros said that the town is likely to use a portion of its over $8 million in free funds toward the school budget.

Watch the full meeting below: