Select Board sets $23.25M override question

Select Board · Meeting of March 24, 2026

BROOKLINE — The Brookline Select Board voted to place a single $23,254,439 override question on the May 5 ballot, rejecting a lower-funded alternative. Town Administrator Chaz Carey presented scenarios ranging from $16.3 million to $25.9 million before the board settled on full funding, 4-0 with one abstention from member John Van Skoyak. Superintendent Bella Wong said a failed override would cut 210.3 positions, or 14.5 percent of school staff, over three years and eliminate world language and most music programs.

Firefighters union president Declan Ward said "there's no substitute for staffing and proximity." More than a dozen residents urged full funding during public comment, citing broken trust from the 2023 override, after which programs were cut despite a tax increase. The board also renewed Police Chief Jennifer Pastord's contract unanimously.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Brookline's community access TV: Select Board meeting, March 24, 2026
• The complete report: 806 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of March 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

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