At the first of two public hearings on the $111.6 proposed budget for Concord Schools, just two people testified.

They spoke largely about looming capital projects that are not included in the budget. Only a few others attended the Monday meeting. 

Residents Bob Maccini and Charlie Russell urged the board to scale back, or consider pausing altogether, proposals for a new middle school and for a renovation of Memorial Field. 

Russell spoke against the plan that would have the district start its own fleet of vans to help stabilize special education costs. He argued they wouldn’t be able to hire enough drivers to make the purchase work, or at should secure new driver hires before buying anything. 

The board heard no other testimony on the content of the budget, which currently includes adding a school resource officer to the middle school, and increasing special education staff while making other staff cuts. 

The second and final public hearing on the proposed budget will take place Wednesday night at district offices. 

To read previous stories about the school district budget, or for a refresher on what’s in the plan and what isn’t, go to concordmonitor.com. 

 

https://view.publitas.com/newspapers-of-new-england/concord-school-budget-2025-26/