North Andover School Committee Adopts $72.2 Million FY27 Budget in 4-0 Vote

NORTH ANDOVER -- January 29, 2026, North Andover School Committee unanimously adopts $72.2 million FY27 budget and warns of override push for FY28. The committee voted 4-0 at its January 29 meeting at the Senior Center to accept Superintendent Jennifer Lathrop's recommended fiscal year 2027 operating budget, authorizing an additional $1.5 million from circuit breaker special education reserves to fund a total spending plan of $73,705,289, roughly $1.5 million above the town manager's allotment. New positions include one elementary teacher, one middle school teacher, three special education roles, one assistant principal, three teaching assistants, and a daily substitute rate increase to $125. Chair Ed Hicks said the district is "proving ourselves right now this year" on financial stewardship to build the case for a Proposition 2½ override at the May 12 Town Meeting in FY28. A written statement from absent member Alyssa Sams called the budget one that "boldly stated that our students need and deserve more" while noting "fiscal year 28 will surely be another story." The committee also voted 4-0 to adopt a pre-Labor Day school calendar with students returning September 2, 2026, and to designate June 18 as the observed Juneteenth holiday, and accepted two North Andover Booster Club donations totaling $34,921.88 for Walsh Stadium lighting repairs and an athletic field utility vehicle.