Boston Schools Propose Over 300 Job Cuts, as Funding Pressures Mount

Educators and parents are speaking out about cuts in Boston Public Schools' proposed $1.71 billion budget, which they say will affect essential student services.

“Boston Public Schools cannot do more with less,” Boston Teachers Union President Erik Berg stated at a School Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 18.

“It's time for the School Committee to send a clear message that our students need additional resources from the city if they're going to learn and thrive in our schools. We urge you to write to the mayor and the city council and join us in letting them know that in order to maintain the progress we're making, they should allocate additional funding to BPS so that our students can continue to learn, to grow, and to achieve,” Berg said in comments recorded by the Boston Herald.

Revenue pressures from the winding down of federal pandemic aid and rising health care costs have contributed to BPS's $1.71 billion budget proposal. School officials said on March 18 that the revised proposal includes a decrease of 568 full-time equivalent positions from the general fund and 110 positions from outside funds.

According to the Boston Herald, many of these positions are currently vacant or will result from school closures or consolidations. The school district, however, is still eyeing the possibility of hundreds of layoffs occurring. 

Superintendent Mary Skipper explained the cuts last week. She noted that while 110 bilingual teachers are being reduced, 33 positions will be “recoded.” Additionally, the removal of 77 positions demonstrate an overall decline in multilingual student enrollment.

“Our approach to the FY27 budget is focused on one outcome, ensuring the district does not lose ground and continues to move forward, particularly on the inclusive education plan,” said Skipper.

Teachers and advocates, however, warn that the cuts BPS is proposing will hurt students, especially those with disabilities, English language learners, and Black and Latino students, many of whom are already strained by pandemic effects.

“Bilingual programming is not only investing in the future of our children, but also investing in the future of our city,” said parent Kayra Amador, who spoke during the March 18 meeting.

The School Committee will vote on the budget proposal on Wednesday, March 25. If approved, the budget will go to the Boston City Council for hearings and voting.