Recent developments at both the state and city levels have significantly improved the budget outlook for the Methuen Public Schools in Fiscal Year 2026.
On the evening of June 16, 2025, Mayor D.J. Beauregard and Superintendent Brandi Kwong were notified that the FY25 final supplemental budget released by the Joint Conference Committee includes increased Circuit Breaker appropriations for municipalities across the Commonwealth. As a result, Methuen’s schools are now estimated to receive approximately $3 million in additional reimbursements – $843,797 in FY25 and $2.2 million in FY26 – to help offset the budgetary impact of delivering high-cost special education services.
Upon receiving this news, the mayor and superintendent worked swiftly to confirm the late-breaking development with state officials, including direct conversations with Methuen’s legislative delegation, Governor Maura Healey, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. The Massachusetts Legislature approved the FY25 supplemental budget on June 18, and it now awaits Governor Healey’s signature.
Thanks to this unanticipated increase in Circuit Breaker reimbursements – combined with Mayor Beauregard’s commitment to deploy $1.8 million in free cash transfers for one-time FY26 special education and school transportation expenses, alongside the redirection of $320,000 in meals tax and billboard revenue to the general fund in FY26, and the City’s prior use of $1.3 million in free cash for one-time FY25 school expenses – the number of projected school layoffs has fallen from 42 to just 12 across all bargaining units. Specifically, staffing reductions would be limited to seven (7) Unit A teachers, two (2) Unit B administrators, and three (3) unaffiliated positions. Most class sizes in grades K-8 will remain close to 20 students.
“This is the outcome we’ve been working toward with urgency and focus,” said Mayor Beauregard. “Thanks to strong collaboration with our state delegation and a commitment to double down on investments in education at the local level, we’re not only closing a budget gap – we’re restoring stability to our schools and ensuring that educators remain in the classroom, where they belong. We greatly appreciate the continued partnership and support of the Healey-Driscoll administration, Senator Payano, Representatives Hamilton, Reyes, and Paulino, and, of course, the Methuen City Council and School Committee.”
“Our legislators listened and responded to the urgent need surrounding increased special education costs for tuition and transportation,” Superintendent Kwong said. “The appropriations in the FY25 supplemental budget that increase reimbursements for both FY25 and FY26 will significantly reduce the number of layoffs in the Methuen Public Schools and bring our dedicated educators back to the classroom. We are so grateful.”
State Senator Pavel Payano stated:
“Ensuring that Methuen students have the educators they need in the classroom has been a top priority. Alongside the Methuen delegation, my office has worked hard to help deliver additional support to address the budget gap. We will continue to do everything possible to protect our educators and advocate for our students and our community.”
State Representative Ryan Hamilton added:
“I’m proud to have secured $100,000 in the supplemental budget to support special education services in the Methuen Public Schools. Every student deserves access to the resources they need to succeed, and this funding will help ensure that our educators and support staff have the tools necessary to meet those needs. Investing in special education is investing in equity, opportunity, and the future of our community.”
The Methuen City Council will hold its first reading of the FY26 municipal budget on Monday, June 23, with a final vote expected on Wednesday, June 25. If adopted, most laid-off educators will begin receiving formal recall notices as early as Friday, June 27.