Sudbury Superintendent Will Talk Budget, Cuts, Override At Forum

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury Public Schools is in the midst of a budget crunch, and district officials will talk through the challenge at a public forum on Monday.

Superintendent Brad Crozier is seeking a fiscal 2024 budget of $44 million, which is about $745,000 higher than the limit set by the town. The imbalance comes from a combination o factors, including a 20 percent hike in transportation costs — about $275,000 — a $300,000 jump in utility costs and a $200,000 rise in out-of-district tuition costs, according to the district. The $745,000 being sought by the district will be spent on "academic recovery and the critical mental health needs of the students."

Because the money for the district's additional $745,000 won't come from the town, the issue will go to voters in the March 27 election in the form of a Proposition 2-½ override. If voters do not approve the override, the district will likely have to make cuts, including seven teaching jobs and increasing class sizes by three students across 28 classrooms.

School bus services would also be eliminated for 7th and 8th graders, and be reduced to kindergarten through 6th grade students who live more than two miles from their school buildings.

If approved, the school district override would add about 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value on tax bills.

Crozier will discuss the three issues — the budget, the override and possible cuts — Monday at Curtis Middle School. The forum will also air on SudburyTV along with the previous budget forum held March 7.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the forum will be on Tuesday. It's not Monday.