Schools in Swampscott

Rethinking Investment, Structure, and Outcomes

Swampscott has long taken pride in its schools—but today, we face a critical question: Are we investing more, or are we investing smarter?

The Reality

Swampscott’s school system now consumes nearly 70% of the town’s total budget, representing one of the largest financial commitments the town makes.

Yet outcomes have not kept pace with spending.

In 1990, Swampscott ranked #6 in the Commonwealth

In recent rankings reported by the Boston Globe, the town now sits around #67

At the same time:

Over $110 million has been invested into school infrastructure, including the new high school.

Despite this, results suggest that higher spending has not consistently translated into stronger performance

This points to a fundamental issue:

It’s not just how much we spend—it’s how we allocate it.

Looking at All Options

To move forward, Swampscott must be open to exploring all viable models for funding and operating its schools.

Regionalization

One potential path is regional collaboration with neighboring communities such as Nahant.

A regional approach could:

  • Pool financial and administrative resources

  • Reduce redundant administrative costs (including multiple superintendent structures)

  • Reinvest savings directly into classrooms and educators

  • Expand program offerings through shared services

Regionalization is not about losing identity—it’s about gaining efficiency and strengthening outcomes.

Rethinking Budget Allocation

Swampscott must take a more strategic and transparent approach to how school funding is distributed.

Key areas to evaluate independently:

  • Infrastructure – Facilities and capital investments

  • Administration – Central office and leadership costs

  • Educators– Teachers and direct classroom support

Each category should be managed with clear goals and accountability—not as part of a single, inflexible system.

This allows the town to adjust and “throttle” spending where it has the greatest impact.

Funding What Works

A more performance-driven model should be considered:

Schools and programs should be funded based on clear goals and measurable outcomes

Success should be rewarded with sustained or increased funding

Underperforming areas should be re-evaluated and restructured, not automatically expanded

This approach ensures that resources follow results—not assumptions.

Transportation & Structural Decisions

Recent shifts away from neighborhood-based school assignments have introduced new transportation costs, including busing students for the first time.

These decisions carry real financial trade-offs:

  • Increased operational costs

  • Reduced funds available for educators and classroom resources

Future planning must weigh these impacts carefully to ensure that every dollar supports student outcomes as directly as possible.

From Spending More to Spending Better

Swampscott has demonstrated a strong willingness to invest in education.

The next step is ensuring those investments are:

  • Efficient

  • Strategic

  • Outcome-driven

Looking Ahead

The goal is not simply to fund schools—but to build a system that delivers excellence.

By exploring regional partnerships, refining budget allocation, prioritizing classroom investment, and aligning funding with performance, Swampscott can restore its standing as a top-tier school system—while ensuring long-term financial sustainability for the town.