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Tiverton faces FY25 shortfall and possible additional FY26 staff layoffs; committee approves one recall and one layoff
Summary
The committee discussed a year‑to‑date FY25 deficit driven by payroll implementation fees and out‑of‑district placements, approved recalling Luke Bain to a band position and approved one layoff; administrators warned more layoff notices may be required depending on final town appropriation.
Tiverton School Committee members were briefed on a year‑to‑date FY25 deficit and on FY26 budget uncertainty that could require additional staff layoffs.
Director of Finance Mr. Andrade reported year‑to‑date spending of roughly $27.9 million, about 76% of the FY25 projected budget, and a current shortfall of approximately $781,263 compared to the original budget. He identified two near‑term drivers: unplanned payroll implementation fees tied to Paycor customization (about $5,000 plus $200 per month) and higher than expected out‑of‑district placement and transportation costs for special education students.
In response, the committee approved a motion to recall Luke Bain to a high‑school band position and approved a separate layoff of another listed position; the recall and layoff vote passed 4–1. The superintendent said the recall does not add positions overall because another teacher “bumped” into a vacant special‑education post, allowing the recall.
Administrators warned that the district’s FY26 request to the town council had been reduced preliminarily to a 3.5% appropriation (the committee had requested 4%), and that personnel remains the largest and most flexible area for cuts. The superintendent said additional layoff notices may be required by June 1 — the statutory/contractual deadline for teacher notices — if final appropriations fall below the preliminarily signaled level. Committee members discussed non‑personnel alternatives in the event of deeper cuts, including eliminating extracurriculars or transferring Fort Barton back to the town to remove related expenses, but noted those measures would not fully close larger gaps.
Finance staff discussed potential transportation savings: moving statewide transportation in‑house with First Student could yield approximately $200,000 in savings and an initial $20,000 credit; consolidation of routes also reduced projected costs by 4–5% year over year in initial estimates. The superintendent said final contract details were under review and more information would return to the committee.
Committee members emphasized the urgency of planning, noting the district no longer has a fund balance cushion to absorb budget shocks and called for further financial discussion before June deadlines.
