School Committee Backs $64.75 Million School Budget

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree Public Schools will present a $64.75 million budget during next month's budget hearings.

Last week, the school committee approved the Braintree Public Schools' proposed fiscal year 2018 budget. The budget comes with a $2.6 million increase over the current budget.

The budget is about $300,000 smaller than the initial proposal. Superintendent Frank Hackett attributed the decrease to the district's ability to keep students with special needs in district rather than sending them to a school outside of Braintree.

"This is the first time I've ever said that out loud. I've never seen that happen before," Hackett said of the decrease.

"The savings are due to the fact that we've done a lot of work and a lot of focus in keeping the service in house. We still do some outplacement when needed," Mayor Joseph Sullivan said. "If there is an opportunity to retain a child in the system, there isn't only value for the child, but the education system.

The school district is expected to discuss the budget with the town council's committee on ways and means in mid-May.

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