MARLBOROUGH – While Marlborough Public Schools (MPS) continues to negotiate with several unions, it will present its proposed budget for fiscal 2025.
The budget – $76,252,590, about 5.9% over the 2024 fiscal year budget – will be part of the School Committee’s agenda on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. at 17 Washington St.
The School Committee will also conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget on Tuesday, April 30, after which the committee will vote on the budget.
The school budget will then be sent to the mayor and City Council on Monday, May 6.
MPS is negotiating with the Marlborough Educators Association, along with the paraeducators, administrative office support and administrators’ association (Unit B). According to School Committee member Heidi Matthews, “we have progressed” on the negotiations.
A look at the 2025 budget
According to MPS Superintendent Mary Murphy, most of the projected increase – $3.1 million – will go toward anticipated salary and wage hikes in contracts, some of which are still being negotiated.
An additional $967,271 will be allocated toward out-of-district tuition.
Some requests were not included in the 2025 fiscal year budget, including English language paraprofessionals and coordinators; a special education teacher; and an additional assistant principal for Whitcomb Middle School.
The district is also dealing with another increase – enrollment.
“Our elementary schools are out of space,” Murphy said.
Goodnow Brothers Elementary School is requesting $181,444 for an additional school nurse and a second assistant principal. According to Murphy, the enrollment at that school is approaching 850 students.
Capital project requests for 2025 will include $250,000 to install a new generator at Jaworek Elementary School; $250,000 to replace or repair exit signs and broken lights at the high school; $500,000 to install new HVAC controls in all the classrooms at Whitcomb; and $200,000 to install new energy-efficient equipment within the district.
The budget is now available for viewing at www.mps-edu.org.
