Worcester Weighs $3.5M for Burncoat School
City council must decide whether to leave $3.5 million unallocated or place it in a fund for a new Burncoat Middle and High School.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Should Worcester use extra revenue to fund a new Burncoat school?
Worcester confirmed about $10.5 million in new growth for fiscal 2027, well above the $7 million anticipated, according to City Manager Eric D. Batista. The city council now must choose whether to leave $3.5 million of that growth unallocated or set it aside for a new Burncoat Middle and High School.
Why it matters
New growth is tax revenue generated by new construction, renovations and newly taxable property, so the council's choice directly shapes the city's tax rates for residents and businesses. Rebuilding Burncoat school has been a priority for the city and Mayor Joseph Petty.
Worcester's fiscal 2027 new growth of $10.5 million exceeds the $7 million projected, based on confirmed municipal figures. The council has not yet determined whether the $3.5 million surplus will go to a school fund or remain unallocated.
The players
Eric D. Batista
Eric D. Batista is the City Manager of Worcester, who announced the confirmed new growth figure for fiscal 2027.
Joseph Petty
Joseph Petty is the Mayor of Worcester, who vowed during his re-election campaign to rebuild both Burncoat schools.
Timothy McGourthy
Timothy McGourthy is a Worcester public official involved in the city's budget discussions over the Burncoat school project.
The details
The council will choose between leaving the $3.5 million unallocated or placing it in a school construction fund. Worcester typically votes to split tax rates between residential and CIP properties, and the FY2026 residential rate was $13.28 per $1,000 while the CIP rate was $29.06 per $1,000.
Timeline
Fiscal Year 2027 is the property tax collection year affected by the $3.5 million decision.
In 2025, Mayor Petty vowed to rebuild both Burncoat schools during his re-election campaign.
The council reviews and discusses the two options at its Nov. 10, 2026 meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Secondary Education Context
Massachusetts cities fund school construction largely through local property taxes constrained by Proposition 2½, which caps annual levy growth. Worcester's decision on the Burncoat project shows how new growth revenue is allocated between general operations and school capital needs.
The council's decision determines whether the single tax rate lands at $16.09 or $16.22 per $1,000 of assessed value, affecting what Worcester property owners pay. Families with children at Burncoat Middle and High School also stand to gain or wait longer for a rebuilt facility depending on the outcome.
The takeaway
Residents who follow Worcester's budget votes can track how new growth revenue is split between tax relief and school construction. The Nov. 10 council meeting is the point where the $3.5 million choice becomes concrete.
What happens next
The Worcester City Council reviews and discusses the two options at its Nov. 10, 2026 meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Further reading
For more on how local school construction is funded, explore Secondary Education coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Masslive.
Live Poll
Should Worcester use extra revenue to fund a new Burncoat school?
