The Public Schools of Brookline have hit a post-COVID enrollment low, falling more than 1,000 students below the district's pre-pandemic peak.

The updated figures were posted on X on Oct. 28 ahead of that evening's School Committee meeting, where the enrollment trend and future projections were scheduled for discussion.

The exact current enrollment total has not been publicly released in a format available outside the Oct. 28 meeting materials. The district's enrollment update document, posted to the School Committee agenda, could not be independently reviewed.

Budget pressure already building

The enrollment decline lands on a district already facing significant financial strain. A district document dated March 4, 2026, outlined the consequences of a failed budget override for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

That document projected a three-year funding gap of $18.5 million. In FY27 alone, the gap between the proposed PSB budget of $149.8 million and the town's revenue allocation of $144.5 million stood at roughly $5.3 million.

Without override funding, the district projected a total staff reduction of 210.3 full-time equivalent positions, or 14.5% of staff, over three years.

Cuts across K-8 and Brookline High

The first-year reductions outlined in the document would eliminate world language instruction in grades 6 through 8, end the Conservatory program, and cut Grade 1 aides by 50%. Those K-8 cuts alone totaled 49.7 FTE.

At Brookline High School, the document listed 26 FTE in reductions, including cuts to teaching positions in English, math, social studies, science, performing arts, visual arts and counseling.

By FY28 and FY29, the document projected an additional $12.8 million in needed reductions. All K-8 after-school sports, clubs, band, orchestra, drama and homework clubs would be eliminated or converted to fee-based programs. South Brookline bus service would end. The district estimated an additional 130 staff positions would be cut, predominantly classroom teachers.

Under that scenario, K-8 average class sizes would rise to 30.3 students, an increase of 56% from FY26 levels, according to the document. Some individual classrooms at schools like Runkle and Hayes could exceed 40 or even 50 students per class.

The School Committee's next steps on enrollment projections and budget planning were not available as of publication. The enrollment update document and meeting discussion may provide additional detail on the district's outlook.