Officials Outline Three Override Tax Options

School Committee · Meeting of March 4, 2026

Brookline officials warned that failing an override could cost the schools nearly 300 jobs over three years. Town Administrator Chaz Carey presented the Select Board three override options, from $16.2 million to $23,960,137, with the largest keeping the total tax levy increase at 18.5 percent through fiscal 2029 versus an estimated 11.3 percent with no override at all. Superintendent Bella Wong said the proposed fiscal 2027 budget increase was trimmed from $12.8 million to $7.1 million, but a $5.27 million gap remains; without it, 80.3 positions would be cut this year alone, with high school English classes averaging 32.2 students by fiscal 2029.

"It's impossible to maintain anywhere near the quality of teaching and learning under these projections," said committee member Bob Weintraub. No override vote was taken; the Select Board must set the ballot question by March 31.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Brookline's community access TV: School Committee meeting, March 4, 2026
• The complete report: 983 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of March 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.