BPS officials presented a $1.7 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 Wednesday night, detailing cost-saving measures including hundreds of layoffs to meet steep enrollment drops and rising costs in the coming year.

“I want to be as clear as possible that when we experience enrollment declines and there are fewer students to educate, we also need to make reductions in teachers and staff positions, because the students aren’t there,” Superintendent Mary Skipper stated during the first School Committee budget presentation Wednesday.

The $1.7 billion budget proposal included a 4.5% increase from the previous fiscal year, about $74 million, the district stated.

Similar to the current year, district officials pointed to four major inflationary budget challenges projected to cost $86 million, including escalating health insurance costs, transportation expenses, special education costs, and collective bargaining agreement increases. BPS also noted the anticipated enrollment decline of about 3,000 students from school year 2024-25.

Due to the constraints and declining enrollment, the district stated plans to reduce about 530 positions. While some positions are vacant and others will see staff move to other BPS jobs, Chief Financial Officer David Bloom said, between 300 and 400 current staff are expected to be cut.

BPS is scheduled to hold three budget hearings — Feb. 12, March 4, and March 18 — before the School Committee votes on the revised budget proposal on March 25. Following an affirmative vote, the budget moves to the Boston City Council for approval.

The budget presentation comes weeks after the district implemented a hiring freeze in response to a $53 million budget gap in the current fiscal year. Skipper said Wednesday BPS is continuing to take “decisive strategic action,” to mitigate the shortfall, including pausing central office spending, school-based vacancies, discretionary funds, supply purchases for the following year, professional development for managerial staff and more.

The spending pause does not include positions directly serving students and funds for things like classroom supplies and graduation activities.

“Even with these pressures, we remain committed to the goals we have set as a district under the guidance of our school committee,” said Skipper. “Our district priorities have not wavered.”

BPS stated 93% of spending will continue to go to student services and cited priorities like the implementation of inclusive education, investment in high quality instructional materials and equitable literacy, and “strengthening” of student supports, including early college pathways and career opportunities.

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The proposed budget also includes a new school funding formula moving away from the former “weighted student” funding to roll out over the next two or three years, Skipper said. The budget for schools factoring in the new formula and facilities mergers and closures saves about $48 million, the district stated.

The district said the remaining $25 million in savings will come from closing classrooms and programs hit by enrollment decline and moving away from post-pandemic “soft landing” funding for schools.

The School Committee will conduct the next budget hearing on Feb. 12, detailing school investments and budgets.