Brockton School Finance Panel Disputes $11.4 Million Pension Deduction for FY27 Budget

BROCKTON — April 7, 2026 — Brockton school finance subcommittee clashes with city CFO over an $11.4 million pension bond deduction proposed for the district's FY27 net school spending calculation. City Chief Financial Officer Troy Clarkson appeared before the Finance Subcommittee on April 7 to present a three-column spreadsheet showing the city's FY27 net school spending estimate at roughly $254.2 million — about half a million dollars below the $254,764,000 calculated by district consultant Open Architects — with the difference driven by an $11.4 million deduction for the school's 62.4 percent share of pension obligation bond debt service. Subcommittee member Mr. Pina challenged why the deduction was not applied in earlier fiscal years, with Clarkson acknowledging the city chose not to take it then, saying that decision resulted in higher school appropriations in FY22 through FY26. Member Ms. Azak objected to receiving the spreadsheet materials less than two hours before the 6 p.m. meeting, calling it a recurring problem. The subcommittee also took up a February 2026 DESE letter finding Brockton approximately $5.8 million short of its net school spending requirement, with member Mr. Rodriguez alleging the unspent funds traced to an unlawful hiring freeze imposed by the former mayor's administration in November 2023. Clarkson confirmed the city is planning to issue the final $59 million of its pension bond program in May or early June, and said the pension debt's 2036 retirement date is central to the city's plan to finance an estimated $800 million new high school with minimal tax impact.