Lunenburg School Committee Approves Austerity Budget, Cuts Three Sports and All Transportation

LUNENBURG -- March 23, 2026, Lunenburg School Committee unanimously approves a worst-case balanced budget that eliminates three varsity sports, cuts all athletic and band transportation, and would push elementary class sizes to 30 or more students per room. Superintendent Dr. Fortuna presented the revised budget, deeper in cuts than the version shown the prior Wednesday, at an emergency session attended by more than 114 viewers online, warning that the district faces "compliance over care" and that further cuts next year would be "impossible." Girls Lacrosse, Boys Golf, and the ski team were cut as the three lowest-enrolled varsity programs; the athletic trainer was reduced from full-time to 0.5 FTE; a music teacher at Turkey Hill was eliminated, ending fifth-grade band; and roughly $35,000 in custodial supplies and a $40,000 science curriculum adoption were scrapped. The committee also voted unanimously to withdraw from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, saving $6,500. Members Mandy Gilman and Chair Tony Scalabrini urged every resident listening to attend Town Meeting on May 2 and vote on May 16, when a $1.6 million school override, which would fund a "core budget" restoring most of the cuts, goes before voters; without it, the approved balanced budget takes effect.