Groton-Dunstable Reviews Three Budget-Cut Scenarios

School Committee · Meeting of January 28, 2026

Groton-Dunstable School Committee weighed three fiscal 2027 budget scenarios that could force cuts of seven to ten staff positions. Superintendent Jeff said the base proposal, a 6.44 percent spending increase, "coming out of the gate is actually a slight reduction" in staff, yet neither Groton nor Dunstable can fund it. A $907,891 cut would let Dunstable, but not Groton, cover its assessment; a $1.2 million cut would work for both towns but still require municipal cuts.

The district built its numbers on $150 per-student state aid, but the governor's newly released budget offered only $75, a gap members called "outrageous." The committee also approved a $1,409,098.04 payroll warrant 7-0 and heard that the district has cut 18 teachers and five counselors over the past three years.

In the full story:

• The Full Story
• [00:20:08] — Superintendent Jeff
• [00:33:29] — Sherry, district budget presenter
• [00:56:24] — Catherine, School Committee member
• Why It Matters
• Key Motions & Votes
• Source
• Groton's community access TV: School Committee meeting, January 28, 2026
• The complete report: 727 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of January 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.