Our Kids Aren’t a Deficit: Why the BPS Cuts Are a Failure of Priorities

Our Kids Aren’t a Deficit: Why the BPS Cuts Are a Failure of Priorities



The headlines in Boston are currently full of talk about "budget realignment" and "fiscal cliffs." But let’s call it what it really is: Boston Public Schools is preparing to dismantle its own backbone while our children watch in fear.

Last week, BPS leadership unveiled a $1.71 billion budget proposal for the 2026–2027 school year. While they’ve framed it as a funding increase, the reality is a staggering $53 million deficit. The district’s solution? Eliminating 400 staff positions, including over 200 teachers and 100 paraprofessionals.

A Witness to the Cycle

I have been an advocate for several years now, and I have seen some pretty heartbreaking things happen to our BPS community. I have stood loud and proud, speaking out about the busing crisis, the looming threat of state receivership, the fight for fair teacher contracts, and the trauma of school closures.

At the center of every one of these issues are our children and our teachers. I have seen the literal disappointment in the eyes of children when they lose a teacher they loved or a program that gave them a reason to come to school. I have seen the broken hearts in our community when a neighborhood school—a literal pillar of the block—was forced to close.

The $135 Million Contradiction

The most painful part of this "deficit" is the math of the city’s priorities.

The city tells us it can't find $53 million to keep teachers in classrooms. Yet, Mayor Wu recently confirmed that the city's share for the White Stadium renovation has ballooned to $135 million in taxpayer funds.

Think about that. We can "mysteriously" find nearly triple that deficit amount to help build a stadium for a professional soccer team—a project our children will likely have to fight to even use. If the city has $135 million for concrete, turf, and pro-sports infrastructure, it has $53 million to keep our educators. Why are we prioritizing a stadium over the people who teach our kids?

The Human Toll of Shuffling Students

Right now, our children are scared. With school closures like the Dever Elementary, Mary Lyon High, Excel High and Community Academy looming and others being "merged," students are being shuffled around the district like chess pieces. For a child, a school isn't just a building; it’s their safe harbor.

In a time of such massive transition, the last thing a student needs is to lose their teacher. Teachers are the one constant in a district that feels like it’s constantly shifting. They are the backbone of our students' stability, yet they are the first to be put on the chopping block.

A Betrayal of Resilience

It’s worth remembering that these same educators held this city together during a global pandemic. They reinvented education overnight and stayed in the fight when things were at their worst. After that, they fought a grueling battle for a contract they deserved—one that was finally signed just a year ago.

To hand these educators pink slips now is a betrayal. We are telling them that their sacrifice was appreciated, but their presence is no longer a priority. That isn't how we treat our educators.

A Choice, Not a Crisis

The district cites the end of federal pandemic relief and declining enrollment as the reason for these "hard decisions." But staffing is a choice. We can choose to prioritize the people who make education happen, or we can choose to balance the books on the backs of our kids.

If we want a world-class city, we must value the people who teach it. Our children are not a deficit.

📢 Join the Fight:

  • Attend the Hearings: The School Committee is holding public budget hearings through March. Your voice is the only thing that can change the vote on March 25, 2026.

  • Support the BTU: Stand with the Boston Teachers Union as they fight to protect the positions of the educators who protect our kids.

  • Share This Post: Use the hashtags #SaveBPS and #TeachersNotStadiums.

White Stadium to cost taxpayers $135 million, according to Mayor Michelle Wu

This video details the Mayor's announcement regarding the $135 million in taxpayer funding for the stadium, which directly contrasts with the current school budget crisis.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nine Months of Love, Growth, and Gratefulness

Image
  Nine Months of Love, Growth, and Gratefulness It’s been a beautiful season in my life — full of milestones, reflections, and deep, deep gratitude. This week, my sweetheart and I celebrated nine months together . Nine months of laughter, late-night talks, growth, patience, and joy. I’ve never felt more connected to someone before. We truly get each other in a way that feels both effortless and deeply meaningful. He motivates me to be better — not just for him, not just for us, but for me . I’ve never been prouder of any man. The way he shows up for himself, and for us as a unit, honestly takes my breath away. When I think back to the moment we first met, it still stuns me — who knew something so simple would lead to something so rare and real? What we have wasn’t rushed or forced. It grew — slowly, intentionally, and organically. It’s a love that makes the world feel softer. I catch myself smiling at every love song, but one in particular brought me to tears: “I Am Yours” by ...
Read more

Series One: Introduction to the Legacy

Image
  Series One: Introduction to the Legacy In just a few months, Paul A. Dever Elementary School will close its doors for the final time—marking the end of an important chapter in Boston’s educational and cultural history. But this isn’t just about a school shutting down. It’s about a community losing its anchor. 🔍 Why This Series Matters Over the coming weeks, I’ll be diving deep into the legacy of the Dever —what it meant to: Students who found a second home in its classrooms Teachers who dedicated decades of their lives Families who walked its halls for generations We’ll revisit the highs, the struggles, and the fierce determination that kept the Dever standing through turbulent times. Most importantly, we’ll hear directly from the people who lived it. Because behind every school are stories— Stories of resilience , hope , heartbreak , and triumph . And the Dever’s story is no different. 🏫 Paul A. Dever Elementary: A School with History and Heart Opened in 1957 , Paul A. Dever...
Read more

Series Two: A School Under Receivership

Image
  Series Two: A School Under Receivership In 2014 , the Paul A. Dever Elementary School—once a beacon in the Columbia Point community—was labeled chronically underperforming by the state of Massachusetts. Overnight, it was placed under state receivership . For many families, educators, and longtime staff, the news hit like a gut punch. Despite vocal opposition from the Dever community, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ( DESE ) moved forward with the takeover. What followed was not a rescue— It was a decade of disruption, instability, and a revolving door of leadership. All in the name of “improvement.” 🔄 A Decade of Disruption Receivership promised transformation. Instead, it delivered chaos. Beloved programs were cut. Many of the school’s Latino educators —who reflected the culture, language, and identities of the student body—were pushed out. Trust began to unravel. Honesty began to fade. Here’s how the timeline unfolded: 2014 : DESE assume...
Read more