Brockton Finance Committee Hears Inspector General Detail Dozen Failures in $18 Million School Deficit

BROCKTON — May 4, 2026 — Brockton's Finance Committee heard Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro detail six findings and seven recommendations from his office's December 2025 report on the Brockton Public Schools' $18 million FY23 budget deficit. Shapiro, appearing in person before the committee, said the deficit stemmed from faulty revenue projections, unfilled finance positions, and the failure of roughly a dozen officials — including the then-superintendent and school committee members — to act on clear warning signs throughout the fiscal year. "A large portion of the deficit likely could have been mitigated by timely action by any number of people along the way earlier in the fiscal year," Shapiro said. Councillor Peter Farwell pressed Shapiro on whether Chapter 324 of the Acts of 1990, which places BPS under city CFO oversight, remains in force; Shapiro said he believes it does and that post-report discussions have included proposals to strengthen it further. Superintendent Dr. Shakira Tahiliani, present in the chamber, submitted a January 16, 2026 response letter to the OIG detailing a revised BPS budget process and new training for school and city officials. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the resolution inviting Shapiro's appearance favorably to the full City Council, then approved a slate of routine budget transfers and appointments before adjourning.