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Ludlow Public Schools

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Budget

LUDLOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS

205 FULLER STREET  |   LUDLOW, MA  01056  |  PHONE 413-583-8372  | FAX 413 583-5666

 

As a public school district, we strive to ensure that we act responsibly as educators, but also as stewards of public funds. Now, more than ever, it is important to us that we ensure we provide reports of accountability to the Ludlow community. We take this responsibility seriously and work to conduct Ludlow Public Schools' business with integrity and transparency.

 

Some School Budgeting Information

School budgeting in Massachusetts has a number of nuances and complexities. This School Budgeting Basics document and the Glossary of Financial Terms document will hopefully help to guide you through the primary aspects and terminology of school budgeting for the Ludlow Public School District. 


Glossary of Financial Terms
School Budgeting Basics

 

LPS Budget Documents 

Click on a fiscal year for budget documents including:

  • Proposed Budget including 

    • Back-up for each line item

  • Detailed Budget Summary 

  • SC Budget Presentations 

 

FY24 Budget Documents

FY25 Budget Documents

 

 

LPS Budget Information as Shared with BOS  

JT Mtg Statistics 12-19-23

Information for BOS 1-2-24

Joint Meeting Board questions from Tuesday, December 19, 2023

 

What is the difference between a “Level Service” budget and a “Level Funded” budget?   

 

A level service budget provides for the same level of service to students and families that was provided the previous year (no reductions in staff or programs). Increasing costs, contracts, and inflation cause level service budgets to increase the following year. Due to these increases, a level-funded budget, or one short of a level of service, typically ends in a reduction in staff or programs.   

 

For example:

A level service budget for FY23 was a 4.65% increase. The LPS FY23 budget was increased by 1.44%, thus necessitating a reduction of 14 positions (several positions were subsequently put back using 1-time ESSER funds).  

 

A level service budget for FY24 (current) was a 9.1% increase. The percentage was higher than typical because the 1-time funds used in FY23 were no longer available.  The LPS FY24 budget was increased by 4.31%, thus necessitating a reduction in 20.4 positions - essentially 2 years' worth of reductions.