[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6101479,"mediaKeyId","2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4","parentId",2808420,"title","Superintendent clarifies MCAS requirements: competency determination removed, assessments remain","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",1081000,"endMs",1207000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4&start=1081&end=1207","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101479/Massachusetts/Superintendent-clarifies-MCAS-requirements-competency-determination-removed-assessments-remain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101479-ae7de067d4a985cddef5f988adf3584c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929979&Signature=izt7xoYe1Z9Trwetsei01XfGlj3YZhAMM3jCgWwFErHkc8Y~9-acS5RZdvvXkgiJ8CwcDdep3Xodp3Ev~SsuaGybb5QmA2NR-kCvxG-vHNWTtN8eH30w1Nd4CMmCfui-QgnZY-pVJJO-MsJeHPsZxMiTbrXXYGedR2EifRkfGr8WrUSH3-UfPblCg4f3CxvtP47qgTf3IChpV~u44UzWm8AONRyW9FO2xBb6OdhYk2zFx47kmoOGFUNojB9QHlzl7AdeBJNkzqMDZmVhjzmh3jbWLEYCXHF17Djv7OxIUArUTNXd6gT19EKYsidjo6RbqDCJgeySE6o60hnNwCodxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District, MA","date","2025-03-28T12:53:09.433Z","article","Superintendent Powers told the school committee that, despite a voter-approved change this fall to remove the statewide competency determination tied to MCAS, districts are still required to administer the MCAS tests and the results will continue to be used in state accountability measures.

\"MCAS is here to stay,\" Powers said. The November change removed the competency-determination requirement but did not end state testing, he explained; the responsibility for any local competency determinations now sits with districts and the Bridgewater-Raynham district is developing short-term local requirements while waiting for additional guidance from the state.

Powers said the district has already started assessments at the high school and that results will be used in accountability reporting. He added that students in the class of 2025 who have not passed MCAS will either be shown to have sufficient proficiency to earn a local competency determination or will receive alternative pathways as allowed under state law and forthcoming guidance.

No vote was required; the committee received the report and asked no follow-up questions during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BRRSD School Committee Meeting 3-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Powers told the committee that Massachusetts districts must continue to administer MCAS tests even after voters removed competency determination from state requirements; districts are developing local competency-determination procedures for graduation requirements.","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},6101485,"Superintendent: REEDs collaborative is pursuing site purchase for deaf and hard-of-hearing program; purchase may be assessed to sending districts",123,1222000,1345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4&start=1222&end=1345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4/thumbnail_1222000.jpg","/articles/6101485/Massachusetts/Superintendent-REEDs-collaborative-is-pursuing-site-purchase-for-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-program-purchase-may-be-assessed-to-sending-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101485-e74c0b69b041a7bcc8397d6662629275/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929979&Signature=f3rUrrLg6xe4iorz2Z~-4mx8y~cKKeDnIrkZqA8VnBl3FN22yuMsgQbpALBKXv46Nz5IrAT76r0~NwDU-a01oYpUrEVVJu1LOzfgKC44GIEoOaRKnDS-EReMgxX1Az2N6mMUsM7COdGQDlRHD4TnO9CxN9qzFqY1zx1E1jMFZXKhYVSzrRs2smUC6pSiUizbgbAkAtn5WpTxrmg~cjL5~RVCzn8fzJwu9hmtOHCqgrLE8HCe49umvkAbSyxtST31OHXtQkJQJWf79m~HYJIPDbTjmdAPR0lwbbRifFNQ~6K1NZ-0ZG82xvGI28Frs3qNq4Zc3uiGOB9-uQ-Rm4yG9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Powers told the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee that REEDs, a local special-education collaborative that serves students from multiple districts, is pursuing the purchase of a building to house its deaf and hard-of-hearing program.

Powers said the program is currently located in Norton Public Schools but Norton is running out of space and REEDs has begun to explore buying (rather than leasing) space. \"It could potentially be an additional $30,000 that we would need assessed,\" Powers said, noting member districts that send students to the REEDs program could be assessed if the purchase is executed.

Why it matters: a district assessment to cover purchase costs would be an added line-item outside the committee's operating budget and could affect future district obligations. Powers said Bridgewater-Raynham has added a teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing this year and that some services the district previously purchased through REEDs are being provided in-house; those changes could affect any final assessment.

No formal action was taken. Powers and committee members characterized the update as informational; the committee did not vote on participation, contribution levels or a plan to cover potential assessments. Powers said superintendents who sit on the REEDs board will need to vote on any purchase and that member districts are expressing concern about taking on additional facility costs.","Superintendent Powers told the committee that the regional special-education collaborative REEDs is pursuing purchase (rather than lease) of a building to house its deaf and hard-of-hearing program and that member districts could face assessments to cover the purchase cost if the sale proceeds.",{"_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},6101490,"Bridgewater-Raynham committee approves $106.2 million FY26 budget, moves $2 million from reserves",4961,1377000,6338000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4&start=1377&end=6338","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2808420-51f1faf5fdc9ced0cd0b643a5da6d2f4/thumbnail_1377000.jpg","/articles/6101490/Massachusetts/Bridgewater-Raynham-committee-approves-1062-million-FY26-budget-moves-2-million-from-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101490-7dec2fad2adcfba4b2d9e7e7d9d9cdcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775929979&Signature=Agv17ccJE7mJKuLK8JLaF4jum~~z3OwK~iQOmt6UDYC9jrcqL~zf5ki34mToAInhtxzhQHjg9v9EnffkEZ9MOpv7DGxeQKeBz~8Nvf9MAwkpaX1HieIbNBSNK4dv4GHDPYGa1SkHv0YyKiCzoYjwSSBSHRxVSB-hSeaASfXmWF2eqH3XS3SBBkh8YRnNjpM0-UmuOx5g5QcKyHOXuCSykj4HFNF7EbDvIEl9MbFV5cNEX6sIP3DBD2K0y-Sw5bA8QtAKrdmw4AWapcYK8Flft-W5llk8vjrmnGlIILv6osuuqtLBGGtXwRU3p7MmBz6tuibgrL8IHNk7fve6eoqSiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee on March 26 approved a fiscal year 2026 operating budget of $106,205,849 and authorized a $2,000,000 transfer from the district's E&D (excess and deficiency) reserve to support that budget.

The panel's vote follows several weeks of public hearings and budget subcommittee meetings that produced a revised proposal the subcommittee presented to the full committee. The approved budget would be reduced by anticipated revenues of $37,985,022 and the $2,000,000 E&D appropriation, leaving $66,220,827 to be apportioned to the member towns. Under the motion as read into the record, Raynham's share was listed as $25,557,638 and Bridgewater's as $40,000,663.

Why it matters: committee members and public speakers said the additional spending aims primarily to reduce elementary class sizes, restore lost courses and staffing at the high school, and shore up special-education staffing to remain in compliance. Committee members said the budget is likely to require voter approval through overrides in both towns.

Most important facts

- Final operating budget (excluding debt and capital): $106,205,849, as moved by the committee.
- Anticipated revenue: $37,985,022; E&D appropriation: $2,000,000. Net to be raised from towns: $66,220,827.
- Town apportionments in the motion: Raynham $25,557,638; Bridgewater $40,000,663 (based on 10/01/2024 enrollments, per the motion language).
- Committee also approved capital assessments totaling $1,692,500 (Raynham $716,362; Bridgewater $976,138) and debt apportionments totaling $4,081,037.50 (Raynham $515,114.87; Bridgewater $3,565,922.63).

What committee members said

Miss King, speaking as chair of the budget subcommittee, presented the package and said the subcommittee substantially increased the proposal after the March 12 public hearing to respond to public input on class size and special education. Superintendent Powers told the committee that hiring up to 37 additional staff under the plan would require carrying associated recurring costs (salaries, steps, health insurance, materials and classroom setup) and that the business office had been modeling sustainment of those positions.

Public comment and community reaction

Several residents and local officials spoke in favor of the higher budget and urged the committee to put the request before town voters. Elizabeth Sharp said the committee had listened to the community: \"You were listening to the community. You weren't just — you showed us that tonight.\" Carly Hunter, a fifth-grade student, told the committee: \"Large class sizes make it difficult for me to focus and get help from my teachers… We deserve classrooms where we can actually focus, ask questions, and get help when we need it.\" Paul Murphy, a member of the Bridgewater Town Council, said he would advocate to put the budget before voters.

Process and next steps

Committee members repeatedly noted that, if the towns do not appropriate the required sums, the district could operate under a temporary one‑twelfth budget while further steps are taken. Several members urged coordinated, rapid scheduling of any override votes in Bridgewater and Raynham so the district would have funds in place before July 1. Committee members also discussed presenting historical actuals and spending detail to the public to support outreach if an override is placed on the ballot.

Votes at a glance

- Transfer $2,000,000 from E&D to support FY26: Motion made by Miss King; second by Miss Conrad Laberinto. Roll-call recorded: Miss McDougall (yes), Mister Guillerino (yes), Miss Martelli (yes), Miss Davenport (yes), Miss Conrad Laberinto (yes), Mister Losch (yes), Miss King (yes), Mister Fitzgibbons (yes). Outcome: approved (unanimous as recorded).

- Final FY26 operating budget (excluding debt/capital) of $106,205,849: Motion made by Miss King; second by Miss Conrad Laberinto. A proposed amendment to adopt the superintendent's January 29 budget (moved by Mister Demarino, seconded by Miss Martelli) failed 5–3. The main motion then passed on roll-call with seven recorded votes in favor and one recorded vote no/other; outcome: approved (vote recorded by clerk as meeting's roll call, passed and sufficient to meet required two-thirds threshold noted in the meeting).

- Capital assessments: motion to adopt capital apportionments (Raynham $716,362; Bridgewater $976,138; capital total $1,692,500). Seconded and approved by roll call; outcome: approved (unanimous as recorded).

- Debt apportionments: motion to adopt debt costs (Raynham $515,114.87; Bridgewater $3,565,922.63; total debt $4,081,037.50). Seconded and approved by roll call; outcome: approved (unanimous as recorded).

Discussion vs. decision

Discussion points: whether the district could sustain hiring 37 positions long term; how much to draw from E&D historically (1.5–2.0 million annually); the tradeoff between presenting an \"ideal\" budget and one likely to pass voters; and plans to share detailed spending history and efficiency measures with the public.

Decision: the committee approved the budget package and related transfers/assessments as stated above. Implementation depends on town appropriations and any override votes in Bridgewater and Raynham.

Ending

Committee leaders asked town officials and the public to engage in outreach and noted that passage of the budget would be a community effort involving both municipal appropriation bodies and, if necessary, override ballots.","The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee voted to approve a $106,205,849 fiscal year 2026 operating budget and to transfer $2 million from the district's E&D reserve to help fund the plan. The committee approved capital and debt assessments for each town and set the apportionments that will go to Bridgewater and Raynham.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent clarifies MCAS requirements: competency determination removed, assessments remain

Superintendent: REEDs collaborative is pursuing site purchase for deaf and hard-of-hearing program; purchase may be assessed to sending districts

Bridgewater-Raynham committee approves $106.2 million FY26 budget, moves $2 million from reserves