Brockton School Committee clears FY2026 public hearing on $251 million budget with no layoffs

BROCKTON -- May 29, 2025, Brockton School Committee closes FY2026 budget public hearing with no public comment and unanimous praise for a $251 million spending plan. The committee met Thursday at Brockton High School's George M. Rom Little Theater to satisfy the requirement of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 38N, and voted 6-0 to adjourn. The net school spending figure of $251 million represents a $25 million increase over the prior year's $226 million, what Chair and Mayor Robert Sullivan called "the largest increase in the history of Brockton Public Schools", while non-net spending comes in at $17 million, up $6 million from last year. Members Thomas Sullivan, Jorge Vega, and Vice Chairman Rodriguez each credited Superintendent Priya Tahiliani, who was also praised by name for a collaborative process involving City CFO Troy Clarkson, District Financial Officer TJ Plant, DESE, the Department of Revenue, and the Administration and Finance secretary's office. No positions are being eliminated, a contrast members drew explicitly against layoffs at other Massachusetts districts.