Local News
District leaders warn schools could become “unrecognizable” in three years if a funding measure isn’t passed.
The facade of Brookline High School. Lane Turner/Globe Staff
Brookline school officials warn the district could face sweeping cuts — including more than 200 layoffs — over the next three years if voters reject a proposed property-tax override intended to stabilize town and school funding.
During a recent presentation to the School Committee, administrators outlined a scenario in which 210 positions would be eliminated and services scaled back if the override fails, according to a report by Brookline.News.
Officials say the school district needs about $18.5 million over three years to maintain current staffing and programs. Without that funding, the district could eliminate some music and language courses, begin charging fees for after-school programs, and consolidate classrooms, pushing class sizes to as many as 30 students, according to the report.
“That is, to me, a Brookline that is unrecognizable,” School Committee chair Valerie Frias said at Wednesday’s school committee meeting. “I don’t even know if we could operate a high school or get certified.”
Brookline’s schools have long been regarded as among the best in Massachusetts. This year, the district ranked number one on Niche’s 2026 list of best school districts, which evaluates factors such as academics, teacher quality, and college readiness.
The warning follows previous budget struggles in the district. In 2024, officials proposed laying off more than 20 staff members and eliminating the elementary world-language program to close a $2.4 million deficit.
School leaders have said the financial strain is due to rising costs that are outpacing the town’s limited revenue growth, which is restricted by Proposition 2½. The state law caps annual property-tax increases unless voters approve an override.
Brookline voters are expected to decide on the proposed override at the May 5 annual town election.
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
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