Wellesley Public Schools added back funding for half of a school psychologist at Hunnewell Elementary School but left other mental health staff cuts in place in the fiscal year 2026 school budget that was approved by the School Committee on Jan. 28.

The Hunnewell position was restored to provide services for a student who was expected to be placed out of district and instead will stay at Hunnewell, said Wellesley Director of Student Services Kat Bernklow. The total budget number did not change because the cost for the half- position will be funded by the money that had been set aside for out-of-district placement.

The budget was approved by a vote of 4-1 (See Wellesley Media video starting at 1:21; vote at about 2:41). Member Christina Horner voted no after she failed to get support for an amendment to restore funding for partial school psychologists at Hardy Elementary School and Wellesley High School.

The Advisory Committee will review the budget during a joint meeting with the School Committee on Feb. 5.

Some parents have vocally opposed the school district’s proposal to eliminate two full-time district-level positions and make partial reductions in school psychologists at the high school, middle school and Hardy. Three parents spoke against the proposed cuts at the Jan. 28 School Committee meeting; two parents spoke at the Jan. 21 meeting. School Committee members also mention receiving emails from multiple parents and teachers opposing the proposed staff reductions.

“I am alarmed by the proposed cuts to psychology and social workers,” parent Meisha Rosenberg said at the start of the School Committee’s Jan. 28 meeting. “While it is true the district psychologist and social worker are not student-facing, they help students, staff and families in complex or crisis situations.”

School district officials have described this budget as providing the same level of services as last year, along with providing for strategic planning initiatives and critical needs. (See letter from the superintendent in the Full Budget, page 9). The district says staffing is evaluated and adjusted every year based on enrollment and services needs.

The budget ended up being approved by a divided School Committee, with Horner suggesting that professional development could be reduced to help pay for the partial school psychologists at Hardy and WHS. (See Wellesley Media video at about 1:51.)

However, Chairwoman Linda Chow seemed reluctant to make direct adjustments to the budget. Chow noted that the current budget–without restoring funding for the school psychologists –was within the 3.24 percent increase requested by the Select Board.

“It seems like it is very late in the game to be making some kind of a trade off like this,” Chow said.

“Well it was up for discussion and it’s a vote, so that’s what I’m thinking, I’m just throwing up my views, I didn’t know it was a monolith,” Horner said.

Member Craig Mack supported Horner’s right to ask “clarifying questions” to get more information as part of the budget discussion. He also noted that the School Committee should support a budget that meets the schools’ needs, even if that turns out to be higher than what the Select Board says it will approve.