Berlin-Boylston School Committee Votes 5-1 to Approve Net-Zero Boylston Staffing Swap

BERLIN -- April 10, 2026, Berlin-Boylston School Committee votes 5-1 to reshuffle Boylston Elementary staffing at no net budget cost. The committee approved changes to the FY27 operating budget that eliminate a 0.6 FTE ELA coaching position at Boylston Elementary and redistribute those dollars to restore two full-time math tutors, add a second kindergarten paraprofessional, and increase the adjustment counselor from 0.5 to 0.7 FTE. The sole no vote came from a member who said she "really believed in that budget" adopted March 10 and preferred to let town meeting voters weigh the full spending plan. Administrators said they would immediately post a part-time ELA coach position at Berlin Memorial School using existing Berlin town funds, though multiple members and Superintendent Al warned that a part-time posting may struggle to attract qualified candidates, citing a prior year in which a similarly configured role went unfilled. The superintendent closed by pressing the committee to begin override planning now: "There is nothing left."