Cambridge Finance Committee Forwards $268 Million School Budget to Full Council

CAMBRIDGE -- May 8, 2024, Cambridge Finance Committee advances $268 million school budget with living-wage debate looming. The committee voted 8-0 on May 8, with Councillor Azeem absent, to send the Cambridge Public Schools fiscal year 2025 budget to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation; the $268,250,000 proposal represents a $23.25 million, or 9.5 percent, increase over fiscal year 2024. Superintendent Victoria Greer told councillors the largest single new cost is a $10 million investment to extend the school day by 30 minutes beginning in September. Public comment was dominated by education support professionals urging the council to pressure the school committee over ongoing contract negotiations, with Cambridge Education Association President Dan Monahan arguing the gap between union and district proposals is "less than $1 million, less than half a percent of 1 percent of the overall budget." Councillor Nolan, reversing her prior opposition, said she would support the budget because, for the first time, it contains uniform achievement targets for all student groups regardless of race or disability status, noting the district's per-pupil spending will exceed $40,000, nearly double the state average.