[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6307398,"mediaKeyId","2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a","parentId",2433359,"title","Bridgewater–Raynham budget standoff leaves district facing multimillion-dollar shortfall; towns and committee discuss override and cuts","audioSeconds",678,"startMs",2420000,"endMs",3098000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a&start=2420&end=3098","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307398/Massachusetts/BridgewaterRaynham-budget-standoff-leaves-district-facing-multimillion-dollar-shortfall-towns-and-committee-discuss-override-and-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307398-cafc677f1f44be9114ea340342c7d44a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144331&Signature=mWwv4ZvG0rl0sUcPHw2LacaQeXkutMeV0OAdUIafVNrcUdml7yFoQvCzdOt~DwD1vdzZ3KHf58NdleIsjUyS91M7Vo71mRhQ-0I~2Wa1cgoNGRYIXgXUbg95Sq-b2ZcrK0XsFlg2gsOB1G1S0xsJqSutu2FALd3kBuDKpvneHm6FNjHCBLUW6V-ClDjbvB6hSPgli0tpr0EdQZonD1TlSnWSC0W4~hMPQea4L0nrpJBACEZkB58bWUUiW8hb2taOWvHbntjPBsn43Gmey5Osjjg37FbTYaZdLcxeUQsDT8O0p4rIvvgZywbml5RU7ZdgyKTRVrRFExG16maPx9W30A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District, MA","date","2025-02-27T13:56:44Z","article","Bridgewater–Raynham Regional School Committee and its budget subcommittee spent much of the Feb. 26 meeting focused on narrowing a preliminary FY26 budget that staff said would require roughly $109 million in revenue and, under one scenario, could leave the district with a multimillion-dollar deficit.

The discussion centered on a budget Superintendent Powers presented to the committee and on a series of follow-up meetings the budget subcommittee has held with town officials. \"As of right now, the budget that Mr. Powers presented was $109,000,000, which is approximately a 21% increase to the tax,\" Budget Subcommittee member Miss Kim said during her report. Town officials present said they could not support a tax increase of that magnitude.

Why it matters: school leaders said the district cannot absorb repeated staffing cuts without affecting instruction and services. Committee members and parents said the community must decide whether to pursue an override or accept additional reductions. The committee has already cut positions in prior years; speakers warned further reductions would force program eliminations and larger class sizes.

What the committee heard and did
- The budget subcommittee reported repeated meetings with both towns’ officials, the Bridgewater Town Council and Raynham selectmen and finance committees, to seek guidance on bridging the gap ahead of the March 12 public hearing.
- The subcommittee described multiple budget scenarios. Under one scenario discussed during the meeting, committee members estimated a shortfall of roughly $5.1 million to maintain level services. Town officials repeatedly said they did not have capacity to absorb a 21% tax increase and asked the district to explore other options.
- Members discussed the possibility of an override vote; several committee members and members of the public urged the committee to put an override question to voters sooner rather than later.

Numbers and limits discussed
- Preliminary FY26 budget presented to the committee: $109,000,000 (described in the meeting as representing roughly a 21% tax increase if fully funded by the two towns). This figure was stated during the budget subcommittee report.
- One deficit scenario discussed during public remarks and committee discussion was described as \"roughly about a $5,100,000 deficit.\" The committee characterized that estimate as scenario-dependent and subject to change as negotiations with town officials continue.
- The committee noted it eliminated 24 positions in the previous budget cycle; members warned additional position reductions could be required if revenues are not increased.

Community reaction
Parents and residents spoke sharply during the public-comment period and at multiple points in the meeting. Ashley Mallard, a parent and resident, said school staffing losses are already affecting families and urged stronger action: \"We cannot do this,\" Mallard said, adding she would support paying more in taxes if that preserved programs. Elizabeth Sharp, also a resident, told the committee she \"strongly feel[s] it's time for the community to vote for an override\" rather than delay a decision to the next fiscal year.

Next steps
The committee and subcommittee said they will continue conversations with town leaders, refine budget scenarios, and hold a public hearing on March 12. Committee members asked staff to prepare clearer, one-page materials describing the concrete impacts of different funding levels (for example, estimated class-size increases, program eliminations and numbers of positions affected) to help the public and town officials make an informed decision.

Reporting note: Committee figures and shortfall scenarios were discussed in the meeting and described by committee members and staff. Where the meeting transcript did not attach an individual name to a number or scenario, the article attributes the figure to committee or subcommittee discussion rather than to a single speaker.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BRRSD School Committee Meeting 2-26-25","oneSentenceSummary","Bridgewater–Raynham Regional School Committee and the budget subcommittee discussed a preliminary FY26 budget they said could require roughly $109 million in revenue and, under one scenario, leave the district with a multimillion-dollar shortfall.","taxTitle","Bridgewater-Raynham, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",38283,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307387,"High school outlines NEASC accreditation timeline; two priority areas called critical to remain accredited",226,1131000,1357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a&start=1131&end=1357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a/thumbnail_1131000.jpg","/articles/6307387/Massachusetts/High-school-outlines-NEASC-accreditation-timeline-two-priority-areas-called-critical-to-remain-accredited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307387-c1d86c1cc33c42ce0fd65640048a47c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144331&Signature=GSWik4CDMbMERtghz3hnfTnehSxjr5VkXhmhjK8EvWAQOe2GvpO3zohfD1qzoF-7uQuK~pnWJLi-blICl3WOhNbzfVTm87wuh22oa6opuGX--k3TRDToawTXXnso7hNobLpY6jvH7QhCCyunxVXXZtXkc~Ax9UISnc4xER9CEsxySGGlo6wVpzIrhIGEOHcJ77prmucZlFD2GDr1HiMMkreS4-NSA~oB-On5PaMveRPnCxJCNetC47D5UMxUupVnP7~M1WN8zlR6vV~pog3LtNLqQEDzaXD8T1p1SnmryeZelUbPGOB2u8DQC8qv85m01K5EBsFDA1x15QdtpBojbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridgewater–Raynham Regional High School staff summarized progress in the NEASC accreditation process and laid out the timeline and consequences for the district.

Principal Miss Watson told the committee the high school completed a year-and-a-half self-reflection and hosted a collaborative conference visit last fall during which the visiting team reviewed classrooms, met with staff and families and drafted a report. The school has developed a school-growth plan based on the visiting team's findings and must implement action steps by June 2026. The decennial accreditation visit, a larger review, is scheduled for fall 2026; that visit will determine whether the school retains accreditation, moves to probation or loses accreditation.

Miss Watson said the visiting team identified four priority areas; two of those were identified as critical \"meaning you have to have those in place to remain accredited,\" and that failure to meet them could put the school on probation or worse. \"We were put on probation 20 years ago... going on probation was a scary thing,\" Watson said, describing earlier experience and the district's commitment to avoiding that outcome.

What happens next
- Staff will implement the action steps in the school-growth plan between now and June 2026 and write summary reports for NEASC.
- The decennial accreditation visit is scheduled for fall 2026; the visiting team will evaluate progress on the action steps.

Context
NEASC accreditation is an external, decennial process that evaluates whether a school meets regional standards. The committee asked clarifying questions about which priority items required staffing or fiscal support; Miss Watson said several action steps were contingent on staffing and funding and that the district would need to prioritize resources to meet the critical items.

Reporting note: Direct quotes and timeline details reflect remarks made in the meeting by Miss Watson, the high-school presenter.","High school leaders briefed the Bridgewater–Raynham School Committee on NEASC accreditation progress and a decennial visit scheduled for fall 2026.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307393,"Votes at a glance: Bridgewater–Raynham committee approves consent agenda, course schedule and payroll warrants",322,1119000,1441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a&start=1119&end=1441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a/thumbnail_1119000.jpg","/articles/6307393/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-BridgewaterRaynham-committee-approves-consent-agenda-course-schedule-and-payroll-warrants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307393-b80bc9b5bad2077d47c95a1d31ce515a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144331&Signature=a3kdx9laTNfnETTdCOE3YNdOOR5jTf9mBVxqDgZkXdmYjoOBvAh0Og97olMLO9qzJQ04Wqf~u7vEw73uKwmABjsP1E2QeRQGDedjdbJIALupuuB2nqTN2m8i~oVsByoRkVYYNo6S~YGJDPgJNB7eAiG2tYqthaRYTPoWGv01arsq5LBFjUccvQ~JRbXPSjZ-3OlGXyxP5TAZdpusyxz4-y7E7Sy0ETiv0qc52Izu~ee1zuNSkwhgyg1Ij3ODwwJstAj6Et9c09pjR4nIwVbCdFa-QtiSvRuRe~hgmhkpIrRRlwYWiZg1TEFjz6EM8FvYWrZNEMGDwBQbEGlKw5ax5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridgewater–Raynham Regional School Committee recorded several unanimous procedural votes during its Feb. 26 meeting, including approvals of the consent agenda, the high-school encore/course schedule and payroll warrants.

Votes and outcomes
- Consent agenda: Approved unanimously. The consent agenda included approval of minutes from Jan. 26, declarations of surplus (chairs, a plow truck), acceptance of gifts (furniture from Welch Move In Company) and general ledger awards for January and February. The transcript records the vote as unanimous; no roll-call tally was recorded.
- BRRH course/encore schedule: Approved unanimously after a motion; the approval was contingent on the schedule as presented and noted that some items were contingent on staffing. The motion was seconded by Miss King; the committee voted \"Aye\" with no recorded opposition.
- Payable payroll warrants: Warrants dated Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 were approved by unanimous voice vote after a motion and second were recorded.
- Joint committee formation: The committee approved a motion authorizing the chair to meet with the Bridgewater town council president, the Raynham board chair and selected staff to discuss a smaller joint committee to advise on budget and funding issues. The motion passed by voice vote.

What the record shows
Most votes were taken by voice and recorded in the transcript as \"unanimous\" or \"aye.\" The meeting did not provide a numbered roll-call tally for these items in the public transcript; when the transcript identified the mover or seconder, that name is recorded in the actions below. The committee did not adopt the FY26 budget at this meeting; it scheduled further hearings and meetings to refine the proposal.

Notes for readers
Routine approvals such as the consent agenda and course schedule are standard at committee meetings; none of the items approved at this meeting represent final decisions on the FY26 budget.","At its Feb. 26 meeting the Bridgewater–Raynham School Committee approved several routine items by unanimous voice vote, including the consent agenda, the BRRH encore/course schedule and school payroll warrants; committee also authorized continued budget negotiations and formation of a joint committee with town leaders.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307384,"District expands unified sports program; high-school course changes and an elective contingent on staffing approved",0,2031000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a&start=2031&end=2031","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433359-b2d7a02158fb32f48c1e271e5675e65a/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6307384/Massachusetts/District-expands-unified-sports-program-high-school-course-changes-and-an-elective-contingent-on-staffing-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307384-22aa3230614ac63ab33afca5f078c0dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144331&Signature=GMoguHbFxUHw7bv4c6~t~j0KXyLcmsQoAcY7qP7Tv6Y7eQvEt5FjghvwEzjl0KFUF1~NUhKZJe34Y0OSBU-skylNboQPeOqD5ptQ9E1n-L4IBHrdkWyh7jFkfyS0bTac606LZwSWioyjEux4bMgHeNpe9eRXgrBbhFdQgBwb8XZTLggZp1CnP1PqbpYww0vBZmgDgNzktROLLXam2Qin80N4AloHYwWDfwDvNTHfRTfBqnxqS2tO82w7DkLWt4mYkES9ZyGlu~BkTr1pYDxygsiqUjqzRaevFq-yoxGdUUSV0P3I~L8dBcDMz~MINQhpfrA~pxRqgK4z8NFPRNKV7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff updated the committee on an inaugural unified-strength-and-conditioning program and described planned course changes for next year.

Unified sports
Superintendent Powers and staff described the district's partnership with Special Olympics of Massachusetts to develop a unified sports program that pairs students with disabilities and student partners. The district ran a pilot strength-and-conditioning program this winter; administrators reported 16 students participated in the pilot overseen by teachers Mister Baldek and Miss Bridal. Registration was opened for unified track and field in the spring; staff said registration was still open and final participation numbers were not yet available.

Course selection and PE changes
Miss Weitzley presented the BRRH course-selection packet and announced one potential new elective in physical education for juniors and seniors contingent on staffing. She said juniors and seniors currently lack a PE elective and that adding a PE elective would be possible only if an additional PE teacher is hired. She also described a math-course change that moves an inclusion statistics section into a selected-topics course when staffing and enrollment permit.

Committee action and context
The committee moved and unanimously approved the BRRH encore/course schedule; members noted several changes remain contingent on staffing and student enrollment. Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether ninth-grade PE requirements would change; presenters confirmed ninth-grade PE remains a semester-based requirement and that tenth-grade health and PE would be merged into a wellness-year model.

What to watch for
- Unified track-and-field registration remains open; staff will report participation numbers when registration closes.
- The proposed new PE elective for upperclassmen depends on hiring an additional PE teacher.

Reporting note: Participation counts for spring unified track-and-field were not provided in the meeting; the article records numbers the presenters supplied for completed pilots and clarifications on which course changes are conditional on staffing and enrollment.","Bridgewater–Raynham leaders reported an inaugural unified-strength program run with Special Olympics of Massachusetts and approved a high-school course/encore schedule that includes a potential new PE elective for juniors and seniors contingent on hiring; several scheduling changes in PE and math were explained to the committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bridgewater–Raynham budget standoff leaves district facing multimillion-dollar shortfall; towns and committee discuss override and cuts

High school outlines NEASC accreditation timeline; two priority areas called critical to remain accredited

Votes at a glance: Bridgewater–Raynham committee approves consent agenda, course schedule and payroll warrants

District expands unified sports program; high-school course changes and an elective contingent on staffing approved