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Superintendent contracts UMass Collins Center for budget review after towns request independent audit
Summary
After receiving letters from the towns of Bridgewater and Raynham requesting an independent operational and financial review, the district engaged the Collins Center at UMass Boston to produce a budget book, review practices and suggest improvements; the committee discussed coordination with the towns and funding for any expanded scope.
The Bridgewater‑Raynham School Committee discussed and confirmed an ongoing engagement with the Collins Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston to carry out an operational and financial review and to develop a more user‑friendly “budget book,” the superintendent said at the July 23 meeting.
Why it matters: both the Bridgewater Town Council and the Raynham select board sent joint letters asking the committee to commission an independent review that would examine budgeting procedures, personnel and special education costs, use of revolving funds and compliance with financial controls. The letters asked the committee for a formal response; the committee discussed a reply and a proposed schedule for joint meetings with town officials.
What the district has done: Superintendent Powers said he proactively contacted the Collins Center in May and that the district “entered into an agreement with them to begin to work on reviewing our budget practices.” He described the center as a reputable public‑management unit within UMass Boston and said the initial scope includes producing a budget book, forecasting work and alignment with Association of School Business Officials best practices. Powers said the district paid an initial portion of the contract from fiscal‑year‑2025 end‑of‑year funds and that the total contract amount in the proposal is $32,500.
Committee concerns and next steps: school committee members urged coordination with the towns and asked whether the towns should fund any additional or deeper reviews beyond the Collins Center scope. Several members said the towns are joint funders of the district and asked for a collaborative process; others noted the district had started the Collins Center engagement before receiving the town letters and cautioned against duplicating effort or duplicative cost. Members agreed to draft a response letter acknowledging the towns' requests, summarizing the Collins Center engagement, and offering a joint meeting in September so both towns and the committee can hear progress updates.
Administration noted the Collins Center can pivot the scope if additional deep dives are needed; the committee said it would review findings and consider expanding scope only if necessary and with clarity on funding.
