Bridgewater and Raynham officials cite rising class sizes, staff cuts and propose operational review

Bridgewater and Raynham officials met Sept. 17 to review the Bridgewater‑Raynham schools’ opening enrollment, staffing reductions and budget pressure and to discuss commissioning an independent operational or financial review ahead of next year’s budget cycle.

School district presenter Mr. Powers said the district opened this school year “to 5,446 students,” and added that the district’s opening enrollment was about 236 students lower than the previous year while there were about 73 pending registrations that could change the count. Powers summarized staff changes and said the high school lost 21 positions overall (including retirements, transfers and layoffs) and listed subject‑area impacts: three ELA, three math, four social studies, three science, two world language, four business, one unified arts and one guidance counselor. He also said district unemployment payments rose from roughly $18,000 in June to about $43,000 in July and approximately $92,000 in August as laid‑off staff filed claims.

The meeting’s nut graf: officials…