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

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.