School committee adopts $708.8 million operating budget for Springfield Public Schools

The Springfield School Committee voted to adopt a $708,789,645 general fund operating budget for Springfield Public Schools, the committee confirmed after a roll-call vote.

Superintendent Chief Patrick Roach said the district team had worked on the budget since January, held public input sessions and a public hearing and framed the proposal as prioritizing classroom spending. "We believe this is a really good budget that puts students first and keeps the money in the classroom," Roach said, asking the committee for support.

Mayor Sarno and committee members thanked Roach and his staff for their work amid a difficult fiscal environment for many districts. Vice Chair LaTonya Naylor moved the motion to adopt; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. Committee members recorded as voting in the affirmative during the roll call included Ms. Valentin, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Hurst, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Gresham, Vice Chair LaTonya Naylor and Mayor Sarno.

The committee did not elaborate further on line-by-line budget changes during the public portion of the meeting. Committee members and the superintendent noted continuing concern about long-term fiscal pressures and the need to monitor future state and federal funding changes.

The committee will proceed to implement the adopted budget and the superintendent’s office will continue public outreach on key spending priorities.