Budget and Finance
Watertown Public Schools At-a-Glance
WPS creates an equitable, challenging, and innovative learning environment where everyone belongs and every student is empowered to shape the world around them.
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Watertown Public Schools Fiscal Year 2027 (for the 2026-2027 school year) totals $64.6 million dollars. This is a 4%+ increase over the FY26 budget, supported by the City of Watertown.
84% of this budget represents faculty and staff salaries, while the other 16% is expenses.
Visit the digital FY27 WPS Budget Book for details on the budget process, budget line item details, and highlights from the FY26 school year accomplishments:
FY27 Budget Drivers
Like many school districts across Massachusetts, Watertown went into the FY27 budget cycle with a deficit that needed to be balanced (-$2,501,611). The district leaned into their budget priorities to help guide cost-saving decisions that were needed to balance the budget:
PRIORITY 1: Cultivate Belonging and Social-Emotional Wellnes
PRIORITY 2: Challenge students with rigorous instruction while providing appropriate
levels of support for ALL
PRIORITY 3: Create a Learning Community with Authentic, Relevant, and Engaging
Opportunities
PRIORITY 4: Utilize All Available Resources to Address Student Needs
The final $64.6 million balanced budget for FY27 includes strategic reductions in positions and increasing off-sets like circuit breaker, pre-paid tuition, and fees for busing and athletics.