Concord Public Schools aim to 'maintain level service' as enrollment dips force staffing adjustments

Dr. Laurie Hunter, Concord Public Schools superintendent, said the district’s main goal for the 2026 operating budget is to maintain level service while supporting key initiatives and expanding in‑district special education programming.

Hunter said enrollment declines have required staffing reductions. She described a recent, sudden drop of about 40 students at the Willard site and said the district has reduced positions across regular education and other roles to "right size" staffing while trying to preserve classroom programs.

The superintendent identified personnel costs — including contractual cost‑of‑living adjustments — as the largest driver of any annual increase. To stay within the town guideline, the district used zero‑based budgeting, special‑education savings from fewer out‑of‑district placements, and competitive grant funding to offset pressures. Hunter said CPS expects only a small number ("five or six") of students to remain out of district in the fall at the elementary level, down from higher counts in prior years.

Why it matters: staffing and benefit costs make up the bulk of the budget and limit how much can be cut without affecting direct instruction. The district uses programmatic in‑district supports both to serve students locally and to manage costs that otherwise would result from sending students to external placements.

Hunter said the district and town finance committees have worked closely through the budget process and that some desired needs were left off the warrant this year to achieve guideline compliance. She asked residents attending town meeting to recognize the goal of sustaining the quality of education while the district adapts to changing enrollment.

The preview concluded with a reminder that the operating budget is one of three school‑related articles on the warrant; next steps are consideration and vote at town meeting.