The City Council Finance Subcommittee and the School Committee Finance and Operations Subcommittee held a joint meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 5:02 p.m. to discuss affordable housing rents, the FY2027 city operating budget and reorganization plan, and the school department's budget amidst significant fiscal constraints. The meeting was marked by high emotions, public testimony from students, parents, and educators, and detailed presentations from city and school officials.
1. Order 2026-048 – Affordable Rents for Bankcroft Lofts and Union House Mr. Cashman (SCV Housing) presented a yearly rent recalculation based on 2026 HUD income limits. He noted that Union House has not had rent increases in three years and proposed a 5% increase to avoid displacement, though the formula would allow higher rents. Councilor Canning questioned whether council approval is required or if this is an executive function, and moved to seek clarification from the city solicitor. The motion passed 5-0. Councilor Canning also requested data on current rents paid and prior year numbers for the next meeting.
2. FY2027 Operating Budget and Reorganization The mayor's office (via the CFO) confirmed a $398 million budget using a 3.5% tax levy increase and $10 million in free cash, consistent with prior discussions. The mayor outlined two reorganization proposals: combining Parks & Rec with Facilities (eliminating one director) and moving the Callahan Center to the Library division (eliminating the Callahan Center director). Councilors expressed support for the concept but raised concerns about recreation and senior services. Councilor Stefanini requested the budget in Excel format and asked for the reorganization plan to be submitted by end of June. Councilor Cannon pressed for less public-facing cuts (e.g., library weekend closures) and questioned the approach. The mayor acknowledged the difficulty and said details on personnel cuts are forthcoming.
3. Joint Discussion on School Budget Superintendent Dr. Robert Trembley clarified that there is no plan to close a school. He broke down the 81 positions previously approved by the school committee into: 30 open positions, 15 transfers, 30 non-reappointments, and 6 actual staff cuts. An additional 35 positions remain to be voted to close a $3.2 million gap. He emphasized that if the revenue assumptions (3.5% levy + $10M free cash) fail, the district may have to notify 47% of staff (non-professional teacher status) of potential layoffs, causing mass exodus. Dr. Trembley outlined potential savings from a higher circuit breaker reimbursement ($417,232), a budget slowdown ($500,000 carryover), and translation service efficiencies ($246,612), leaving about $2 million in additional personnel cuts (the 35 positions). Councilor Stefanini asked about legal obligations; Dr. Trembley said the district would meet them but with shifted responsibilities. Councilor King and Chairman expressed support for the 3.5% and $10M revenue plan, noting that it is necessary to avoid deeper disruption. Councilor Cannon criticized the superintendent over a stipend tied to race (which Dr. Trembley said has been sunset) and pressed for collaboration on consolidations, accusing the school administration of lip service. Councilor Shepard inquired about the tax impact of a 1% increase (~$80/homeowner, $2.3M additional revenue). Multiple councilors acknowledged the urgency of teacher notification deadlines.
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. (city council subcommittee) and 7:26 p.m. (school committee subcommittee).
The finance subcommittee of the city council is comprised of five council members and considers any or all questions appropriate for the purpose of considering the budget, including the creation of new positions to the payroll, changes to the employee classification plan, or any matters pertaining to increasing the City of Framingham employee headcount. The following City Council Finance Subcommittee meeting coverage is brought to you by the government channel, a service of the City of Framingham. From the city council, uh all members are present in the room. We also have our uh new financial analyst and analyst here with us, Anthony. Um so our meeting is called to order, and I'll turn it over quickly to the chair of the um school committee to call her meeting to order. All right, welcome to the Framingham School Committee meeting uh finance and operations joint subcommittee meeting of Tuesday, May 26, 2026. I call this meeting to order at 502 p.m. In attendance tonight, we have District 3, Jennifer Mosha, District 6, Brent Lewis, District 7, Kyle Shepard, District 8, Jessica Barnhill. We're also joined by a superintendent Dr. Robert Tremley, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, um, Assistant Superintendent Ann Lutas. This meeting live on the government channel in Zoom. A recording of this meeting will be archived on the City of Framingham and School Committee websites as soon as possible. Tonight our agenda is includes public comment, discussion F 27 operating budget and updated proposal from the mayor. Thank you. I'll turn it back over to you. Thank you. First order of business is public participation. We ask if you want to publicly participate, feel free to do so unless it is something that is on the agenda, which the budget is. So if you want to publicly comment on anything that's not on the agenda, please feel free to take the mic and um we'll give you three minutes. If not, we'll wait for the agenda item. We have one person on Zoom. Mr. Bloomfield. Um, if it's on the budget, you have to wait. If it's not on the budget, you get three minutes. I understand it's not on the budget. It's on your first line item of your agenda. Uh blue state blue framing blue city blues. That's what we get. And uh I just before I make my other comments, I just want to let you know that uh congratulations are in order because Framingham uh made the Herald as the number two highest number of layoffs in the school department area for the state. Uh just devastating. First, my comment on uh I want to know are you on the agenda item for uh the uh apartment house system? No. That's not this is public participation. That's next. If you want to speak on that, I'll call on you for that. But no, we have not. I just opened up the meeting. I know it's public participation on anything that's not budget related or on our agenda. And you already started with on the budget stuff. So you just like the other night. But it's if you want to talk on the agenda items, just sit tight and we'll call on you. I promise. We always do. I got you. I'm waiting. Okay, then thank you. Um let me uh okay. First order of business. Order 2026 048.