WESTBOROUGH – The school budget for fiscal 2025 was approved by the School Committee on Dec. 13.
“It’s a budget that meets the needs of the district,” said Westborough Public Schools Superintendent Amber Bock.
The total budget of $66,996,333 is 5.54% higher than in fiscal 2024. More than $56 million – 83% – of the budget is dedicated to salaries; the remainder is for maintenance and operations of the school system.
Bock emphasized several factors behind the increase, including negotiated contract settlements, utility costs, technology and bus transportation.
In technology, for example, the budget is estimated to increase about 10%, from $889,599 in fiscal 2024 to $979,599. Bock attributed it to increased costs for hardware, vendors and software licenses.
The 2025 fiscal year budget for technology includes $55,000 for WiFi upgrades, $85,000 for teacher laptops and $19,114 toward the replacement of iPad keyboards and other materials.
Bock also pointed out some savings, such as $99,384 in reduced utility costs at Fales Elementary School; $50,070 in reductions for transportation; and some items moved from the budget to revolving funds and grants.
The total operating and maintenance budget for fiscal 2025 shows a decrease of about $188,000 thanks to reductions in student services and facilities.
The budget will now go to the Select Board and Advisory Finance for further discussions and final recommendations before Town Meeting in March.
