[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6161530,"mediaKeyId","5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249","parentId",5441728,"title","Residents press finance subcommittee for Ashby representation; committee adds liaison and hears AES concerns","audioSeconds",2004,"startMs",2131000,"endMs",4135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249&start=2131&end=4135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249/thumbnail_2131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161530/Massachusetts/Residents-press-finance-subcommittee-for-Ashby-representation-committee-adds-liaison-and-hears-AES-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161530-7dec9b35d2370f2c8a0ac1d565a04de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620080&Signature=SvR-XS6XsWbpkLV7dvJ2cnTloe-x8EVdcSgHLeH6rUM5IoiKHoNASsCg2f18OReGz-HnrVfObhD9oOiqEiEh1CLpjUgF5~~vBS~hn9F0OGC46JumSAYfFrOoRktXmSwKtC5owQg8OG6ObiJqCEaf6FRc-esGmmGv9f5k6xXNG722KJPAqNCk9akIFK89RrmGS5Pnai9AR1SWxO9p6B0qA2fIVURUDPb35gULKV8kwlIQMT9NzgY7WbgzAhEaiKJftzNkqgliysxbo3OTSw4DvKwZhoc6bLQ0nj8UQY5e3brmO~EH-bQJ4YwYtsVPazz9CIxyR-dwMld8s3aFfkO6Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-21T16:57:11Z","article","Public commenters and committee members addressed community representation and the future of Ashby Elementary School during the finance subcommittee meeting.

An Ashby resident who served as the town’s appointed finance representative said she would like to continue in the role so Ashby “have adequate representation.” Another public commenter who identified herself as an Ashby resident called it “discouraging” to read meeting minutes that said “too much time has been wasted on talking about Ashby Elementary.” A public commenter in Maine raised concerns about Ashby’s status and asked who will cover operating costs if the building remains unused.

The committee said it has reached out to Carrie Battersby to serve as the Ashby liaison and that she has agreed to listen in pending a formal vote by the full school committee at its Aug. 12 meeting. Committee members clarified that community liaisons are nonvoting and would have access to public documents but not to executive-session materials.

On related education staffing questions, a public commenter asked whether one-time FY25 funds could be used to add short-term classroom support to address large class sizes. The administration said staff would cost out options and return to the committee. Assistant Superintendent Gary Bavaro Reese and Superintendent Brad Morgan said administrators can explore using preschool revolving funds, school-choice funds or federal special-education allocations to cover temporary paraprofessional support without changing the approved municipal budget, when appropriate.

Why it matters: Committee membership and liaison representation determine which town perspectives are heard during finance deliberations. Public concern about Ashby Elementary’s condition and possible re-use or maintenance costs surfaced repeatedly during the meeting and was recorded for follow-up.

Next steps: The committee said it will proceed with outreach for the Ashby liaison, and administrators will review classroom-support cost options and report back at the August meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NMRSD Finance Subcommittee 7/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters urged continued attention to Ashby Elementary School and asked that Ashby have a finance subcommittee liaison; the subcommittee said it had asked Carrie Battersby to serve and that the appointment will be confirmed at the August full committee meeting.","taxTitle","North Middlesex Regional School District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",60734,"location","Massachusetts","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6161535,"Small state grants eyed for school capital: generator for Squannacook, entryway repairs in Pepperell discussed",81,3566000,3647000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249&start=3566&end=3647","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249/thumbnail_3566000.jpg","/articles/6161535/Massachusetts/Small-state-grants-eyed-for-school-capital-generator-for-Squannacook-entryway-repairs-in-Pepperell-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161535-de0b51504f48a61c3d21d381613283b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620080&Signature=GMSq~A8D5KPR7tCUQ4TVmwalvqbb9P4CF6K8aZFshUROfoubD9i4oQ8OOv8Yfsd2eceHuKFIn01ZuW8I2PipDzCoQbRnnBNOlYs2rjN1XbnlADrVagTxv4SRFSPdq~t4inFiEeOK2oKCLbPGPl~1jTQQkyUe5JWpjsS9BcFsTAbIu5cG9JYdhosa5WOe9eGgudXmbFbQX6tb3jmoyjgZwI34QAkVlk96~29YZgtlO5hX1e0IClO~f~pSP0cS0YfWAU-ZMJ6vLY4Nu9u88xvxHQJf~Ql9U~--UuGyzFNDOQJGy3kOeCG4mzfyb6kpm2gagOpAbis-42JVhE495UEEzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The finance subcommittee reviewed initial ideas for using two small state infrastructure grants that were recently allocated to the district by Sen. Cronin and Sen. Kennedy.

Brad Morgan, the superintendent, told the committee that Senator Kennedy’s $150,000 allotment is earmarked for Pepperell, where preliminary discussions have focused on repairs to the Varnum Brook front entry circle and wall. Morgan said the work addresses failing masonry that has not been eligible for capital funding to date.

For Ashby and Townsend, Morgan said funds from Senator Cronin are being considered to “hook Squannacook up to a generator.” He described Squannacook as the only school in the district without a backup generator and said wiring and connection costs alone could be “basically in the $100,000 range.” He emphasized that final decisions would be brought to the school committee and that the finance subcommittee should consider recommendations before the August meeting.

Why it matters: A generator and reliable entry repairs can affect building operations during outages, support preschool and rental uses, and — if sited at a shelter-designated building — expand local emergency response capacity. Committee members asked staff to develop costed options and return with recommendations to the finance subcommittee or full committee in August.

Next steps: Morgan said he would prepare recommendations, and members agreed to schedule a finance subcommittee meeting before the full school committee’s regular August session to review proposals. Any spending of the state allocations will be subject to committee approval and appropriate procurement.","Committee members discussed how recently allocated state funds from two senators could be used for targeted capital repairs: wiring a generator at Squannacook and masonry/entry repairs at Pepperell's Varnum Brook front entry.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6161540,"Regional school finance panel: FY25 closeout shows unexpected one-time revenue; committee urged to replenish reserves",345,336000,681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249&start=336&end=681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441728-db2fceb65082e555a87c3e9603638249/thumbnail_336000.jpg","/articles/6161540/Massachusetts/Regional-school-finance-panel-FY25-closeout-shows-unexpected-one-time-revenue-committee-urged-to-replenish-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161540-ac5f8c099d845b182b3dc9d4bcd8b107/orig.mp4?Expires=1773620080&Signature=HhcBOpk~0iZ3TzrFh6BMgxF5CQdQFlNzxIaRP0U10b4vKxvn5vtWynaJIejD1A8avN8xM20GFeyMxmLWVYFzM47NS48n5NYyeHrMxKIY5k5tNvWsH~mGJ3si~~MtVEAN62z4JW5Lmf5A-nAt9qjicVoVKbbm0cfOpuiHM7M13rFqXRAqTcPYWOrvfi7iVGmQFSZmSXAq5jpl~jKU1RsyNRt5tCTAg~dR3E4Up9myso4GPHQHeFvEo0I6QMjPXaOn~~aU5lq7LUL~4ydqiHBuakssokYgKs9q78zrBoUWEVBrsyCPztbpq1LNsZORiXPfpfnu3rk5JpEiPpMAhfRDCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The finance subcommittee of the regional school committee heard an end-of-year budget update Tuesday that shows the district likely will end fiscal 2025 with just under $3 million available from an original $65 million operating budget, and roughly $1 million of unexpected one-time revenue.

That outlook came as Nancy Haines, the district business manager, reported returning funds and higher-than-anticipated reimbursements that together put the district “roughly 1,000,000 in revenue over anticipated.” Haines said the district received “just over $1,000,000 from Minute Man to Show,” and that $536,000 of the receipts will go to the general fund. She also reported a return of “just under 250,000” from the Valley Collaborative.

The money prompted discussion about the district’s excess and deficiency fund balance, commonly called E&D. Haines told members the district used some E&D to balance the FY26 budget and urged replenishment. “We think, as far as expenses go on the expense side, that we’ll end up with roughly just under $3,000,000 remaining in the budget. We started with 65,000,000, and we’ll end up with just under 3,000,000 available,” she said. Later she recommended placing additional circuit-breaker funds into FY26 rather than spending them in FY25 to help rebuild reserves: “My recommendation on this is … we put it in FY26.”

Why it matters: E&D is the district’s reserve that functions like municipal free cash. Multiple committee members and administrators warned that repeatedly using E&D to support operating budgets risks depleting reserves, which can affect short-term borrowing costs and long-term fiscal flexibility. Superintendent Brad Morgan asked Haines to explain the importance of restoring E&D, noting that depleted reserves can “affect our bond rating” when the district borrows for capital projects such as the high school.

Committee discussion and staff guidance

Members asked how the district should treat the unexpected funds. Haines said she checked with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on rules for using returned school-choice money: “I did check with DESE on that. We were allowed to replenish school choice only up to the amount that we originally took out.” She added that circuit-breaker receipts must be put into the circuit-breaker fund and that some districts choose to carry those funds into the next fiscal year.

Several committee members pushed for a policy or target range for E&D to avoid “big swings.” Haines noted some districts set a formal policy (for example, a 3–5 percent reserve target) and said certification of E&D by state local services typically occurs between October and January following closeout.

Uncertainties and limits

Haines and other administrators repeatedly cautioned that much of the revenue is one-time and that the district cannot rely on it for long-term staffing or program restorations. She said state-level funding decisions — including chapter 70 and transportation formula changes — remain uncertain until the governor’s budget proposal and state actions are finalized, which affects multi-year planning.

Next steps

Committee members asked staff to prepare updated FY25 closeout figures and two-year projections and to bring options for rebuilding E&D to an upcoming meeting before the full school committee’s August session. Haines said the district will submit required schedules to the state for certification of the FY25 balances, and staff will return with refined figures once final warrants and purchase orders are posted.

A note on votes and formal actions

The subcommittee received the staff update as an informational briefing; there was no vote to spend the newly returned funds. The minutes from the April 17 meeting were approved at the start of the session.","Business manager Nancy Haines told the finance subcommittee the district will likely end FY25 with just under $3 million available from a $65 million budget after unexpected returns and revenue; she and members urged rebuilding the excess and deficiency (E&D) reserve and treating new funds as largely one-time.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press finance subcommittee for Ashby representation; committee adds liaison and hears AES concerns

Small state grants eyed for school capital: generator for Squannacook, entryway repairs in Pepperell discussed

Regional school finance panel: FY25 closeout shows unexpected one-time revenue; committee urged to replenish reserves