Tewksbury Schools Propose 2.34 Percent Budget Increase

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury Public Schools budget would rise 2.34 percent under the proposal from the School Department presented at Wednesday's School Committee meeting.

The total budget, including fixed costs and debt service, would rise just 1.66 percent, as debt service would decline, Business Manager David Libby said.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Tewksbury Public Schools budget is $53.1 million, or $70.8 million including fixed costs and debt service, Libby said.

The full budget presentation is available in the School Committee meeting package and in the TewksburyTV recording.

Salaries make up the bulk of the department budget excluding debt and fixed costs, 70 percent, and the bulk of the increase — $1.074 million of the $1.2 million budget increase, or 2.96 percent. The operating budget would increase just 0.95 percent while the capital outlay budget would remain level at $850,000.

Debt service declined 5.77 percent to $6.6 million and will continue to do so every year going forward as the costs of repaying debt on the high school and the new Center Elementary both decline.

The town and school budgets will go before residents for approval at the annual town meeting in May.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or [email protected].