The proposed BPS budget for FY27 is $1.71 billion but the additional money isn't reaching classrooms. Enrollment decline is real, and some staffing adjustments are necessary. However, the vast majority of new budget growth is being absorbed by health insurance, transportation, and other rising structural costs, before it reaches schools. Instead of adequately allocating the funds our schools need, the City is balancing the books by eliminating the staff who work directly with students. When operating dollars don’t make it to schools, the positions that get eliminated are teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and mental health staff. The people our students rely on every day.