Gloucester School Committee Hears Public Pleas to Close $1.35 Million Budget Gap

GLOUCESTER — May 13, 2026 — Gloucester school supporters pack committee meeting to oppose a $1.35 million funding gap threatening 22.5 positions. More than two dozen speakers testified during a formal public hearing Tuesday as Superintendent Ben Lummis presented a $56.8 million level-service budget request — a $2.6 million increase over FY2026 driven by $4.2 million in mandatory cost increases including a $1.3 million health insurance spike and $1.8 million in contracted salary obligations. Mayor Paul Lundberg, who sits on the committee, has proposed only a $1.25 million increase to the City Council, a gap Lummis said would eliminate or reduce positions at every school, including the two-teacher Phoenix House at O'Malley Middle School, multilingual learner staffing, and elective programs at Gloucester High School. Cabinet design teacher Tim Rose, who faces reassignment, told the committee the decision was made "without prior consultation" and that over 60 students had submitted written statements. English learner liaison Vanessa Lindbergh brought four Spanish-speaking parents and a student to testify in person. The committee's final budget vote is scheduled for May 27, with the City Council taking up the budget in early June.