GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Greenfield School Committee voted to adopt the $29 million Superintendent budget for Fiscal Year 2026 as their own after a presentation and discussion with Superintendent Karin Patenaude and Assistant Superintendent Stephen Sullivan Monday evening at the annual public budget hearing.
The budget represents a 7.97% increase over the current fiscal year, which is due in part to the loss of the pandemic-era ESSR funding as well as costs associated with the redistricting project.
Community members attended the hearing and gave comment, many of which pertained to a perceived top-heavy budget with high administrative costs.
In discussion, School Committee member Goodwin made a motion to direct the Superintendent to lower the budget to what would be considered level funding with the current fiscal year, an approximately $600,000 cut to the proposed budget, by eliminating three administration positions and reducing the Special Education budget. The motion did not receive a second and member Goodwin, along with Mayor Ginny Desorgher, voted against adopting the Superintendent’s budget.
The school budget will now head to the Mayor’s Office. The Mayor’s FY 2026 operating budget is expected to be released by April 1st, according to the Greenfield Public School budget schedule.