Blackstone-Millville regional schools present FY26 certified budget; district aims to reduce town increases with offsets

Blackstone Finance Committee members heard April 9 from the Blackstone-Millville regional school district on its FY26 certified budget and how the district plans to reduce the net impact on member towns.

The district’s presentation said the FY26 certified budget is $32,054,718, a year-over-year increase of $2,196,885 (7%). District staff told the committee they had identified recurring and one-time revenue offsets including a one-time Chapter 70 “foundation” increase tied to rising enrollment, prepaid collaborative tuition, circuit-breaker special-education reimbursement, and available special-revenue fund balances. The district’s finance officer said those offsets reduce the total impact on town assessments by roughly $3,659,040.

Why this matters: The regional district’s minimum local contribution calculation and additional exclusionary costs (transportation, retiree medical, capital) are directly borne by member towns; plan changes and timing for prepayments can change the amounts assessed to Blackstone and Millville.

Key numbers and offsets described by district presenters Joe (district finance) and Dr. Filico (superintendent): Chapter 70…