Millis Schools Propose 4 Percent Budget Increase to Restore Positions Cut in Prior Years

MILLIS — April 1, 2026 — Millis Finance Committee reviews $22.2 million school budget proposal and hears of seven-figure PFAS settlement at April 1 meeting. Superintendent Bob Laney and School Business Agent Shaleen Volpe presented a $22,188,808 proposed FY27 budget — a 4 percent increase over the current year — to the Finance Committee, driven by a 3.71 percent salary increase and an 18.1 percent rise in other expenses including contracted special education services and transportation. The district's high-needs student population grew to 37.4 percent of enrollment, with students carrying IEPs now at 24.3 percent, above the state average for the second consecutive year. School choice revenue has fallen 46 percent since FY21, from roughly $500,000 to a projected $271,000 next year, with Laney noting, "Choice funds have been a lifeline for our schools." Town Administrator Mike Krohn disclosed that Millis has received a seven-figure legal settlement from a national PFAS class action against 3M and others, with town meeting articles in development to direct those funds toward water filtration costs and potentially rescind related debt.