Shrewsbury School Department Seeks $94.6 Million in FY27 Budget at Override Cap

SHREWSBURY — March 19, 2026 — Shrewsbury Finance Committee hears $94.6 million school budget request at the 4.75 percent override cap. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin Sawyer and School Business Director Chris Girardi presented the initial fiscal year 2027 recommended budget to the Finance Committee at its March 19 public hearing, with School Committee Chair Erin Boucher noting the figure represents the maximum increase allowed under the 2021 override agreement. The budget, which is 86 percent salary-driven, reflects a net reduction of 5.8 full-time equivalent positions achieved largely through five elementary classroom sections eliminated at Patton, Beale, and Floral Street schools, offset by a new Sherwood Middle School math specialist and a nursing position increase. During public comment, Select Board member Greg Richards, speaking as a resident, challenged school finance officials on whether the department's practice of maintaining its special education circuit breaker reserve above the stated 50 percent policy floor had allowed for a lower town appropriation in FY25, presenting calculations suggesting a 3.35 percent increase would have provided equivalent services that year rather than the 4.25 percent that was appropriated — a question Sawyer declined to confirm, citing the volatility of special education costs.