Cambridge Public Schools Expects $13M Budget Increase, Takes On Student Transit Costs

Cambridge Public Schools is expected to increase its 2027 budget by more than $13 million, including a commitment to fund public transit for students at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School from the school’s budget.

The proposed budget, totaling more than $290 million, reflects a smaller year-over-year increase than CPS has seen in recent history.

The budget’s new line item — a $500,000 allocation to fund MBTA passes for CRLS students — is a transfer from the city budget, which has funded the passes since 2021.

Salary and benefits account for the largest portion of the growth, anticipated to rise by more than $10 million for the second consecutive year. Additional increases include a $570,000 allocation for facilities, energy, and equipment and $610,000 for transportation.

During the presentation, CPS Superintendent David G. Murphy emphasized that the budget also prioritizes student support services, particularly for students experiencing behavioral or mental health challenges.

The district plans to expand early education partnerships and implement a K-2 special education collaborative model, according to Murphy. He also said the district planned to invest in expanded crisis intervention resources, staffing modifications, and additional behavioral support staff.

“There’s a need to think creatively and to invest in ways that build better learning environments for all students, but particularly for students who we know we’re not necessarily meeting their needs in the way that we should,” he said.

Budget discussions will continue until early May, when the City Council is set to vote on the district’s finalized budget.

The School Committee also addressed growing concern over technology usage in schools, an issue raised repeatedly during public comment. The discussion followed a policy order last year asking the district to assess students’ screen time and set a formal policy on AI usage.

Murphy said the district’s responsibility is to ensure the benefits of using technology in the classroom are not “outweighed by the types of risks and potential detriments that are also associated with technology being as ubiquitous as it is.”

He recommended the discussion on AI use be moved to the School Committee’s curriculum subcommittee to “provide a forum” for parents, educators, and students to voice their concerns. The district also announced plans to conduct focus groups to gather feedback from educators across different grade levels.

“Trying to strike that balance and understand that nuance — that we want to capitalize on what's available to us, while not falling into, or falling prey to some of the pitfalls,” he said, “I think that's a really difficult conversation.”

—Staff writer Jaya N. Karamcheti can be reached at [email protected].

—Staff writer Tess E. Sumner can be reached at [email protected].