Marlborough School Committee Approves $75.8 Million FY25 Budget With $841,000 in Cuts

MARLBOROUGH -- May 28, 2024, Marlborough School Committee approves $75.8 million FY25 budget, cutting six high school teaching positions and the K-5 music program. The committee voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a $75,775,874 operating budget, $841,116 below the district's original request, after Mayor Christian reduced the school department's submitted figure of $76,616,990 before sending it to the city council. The approved budget represents a 5.25 percent increase over FY24. Superintendent Mary Murphy outlined the reduction package, which includes eliminating three administrative positions for estimated savings of roughly $350,000 to $400,000, cutting six Marlborough High School teaching positions, ending K-5 band and orchestra instruction, two teaching positions, and eliminating one high school hall monitor. Murphy acknowledged the administrative cuts plainly: "It will be a loss. Absolutely. It will be a loss." The committee also ratified a 2024-2027 contract with the Marlborough Educator Association and extended its legal services agreement with Murphy, Lemire, and Murphy for three years. A separate extended discussion on Whitcomb Middle School's proposed shift from a four-quarter to a trimester elective schedule ended without a vote, with committee members pressing for options that preserve year-round access to performance music groups.