Name: Larry Freeman
Address: 218 Lowell Street
Office Sought: School Committee
e-mail address: Freeman4Lexington [at] gmail.com
phone number: 404-783-7563
Community Activities:
- Lexington School Committee
- Town Meeting Member, Precinct 1
- Lexington Human Rights Committee
- Vision for Lexington
- Cary Library Board Member
- I have 1 child that attends LHS
The schools have a two million deficit in the FY 2025 budget. Can you describe the reasons for the deficit and how the committee plans to reconcile their budget?
One contributing factor to the District’s expenses exceeding the 2025 budgeted amounts is the growing need for specialized services that support all students, including those requiring special education. As we remain committed to providing an inclusive and high-quality education for every learner, we have seen an increased demand for resources to meet the diverse needs of our students. This includes hiring additional teachers and support staff, surpassing budget projections for 2025. Additionally, Lexington Public Schools (LPS) has also warmly welcomed students placed in temporary housing within the town. While the number of these students fluctuates unpredictably, our commitment as a Town and a District remains unwavering—we embrace every student, regardless of their housing situation.
In cases where families secure permanent housing or are reassigned to temporary housing outside of Lexington, the District is required to comply with the Commonwealth’s mandate that LPS must provide transportation from their new residence to their assigned school in Lexington, if they choose to continue their education here. The cost of this transportation exceeded our 2025 budget forecasts. However, it is important to note that, even without a state mandate, we firmly believe that every child deserves access to a high-quality education. We remain dedicated to supporting all students, regardless of their level of need or housing instability.
To address these budget challenges, the District implemented a spending freeze in December 2024. Since then, we continue to make intentional and strategic financial decisions to reduce expenses. We have minimized spending on supplies and eliminated all non-essential costs, ensuring that our financial approach remains both responsible and student-focused. Our goal is to maintain a delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and the long-term educational needs of our students, ensuring that every learner continues to receive the support and resources they need to succeed.
