Quabbin committee adopts $41.08 million budget as House moves to raise transportation reimbursement

The Quabbin Regional School Committee on April 10 approved a $41,080,092 budget to be used to calculate April assessments to member towns.

The move was presented as required by state law and carried on a roll-call vote with all members voting yes. A School Committee member moved to "adopt February 26 budget in the amount of $41,080,092 on which to calculate April assessments to member communities," citing Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, §16B; a second was recorded and the motion passed.

Why it matters: the committee heard a simultaneous, potentially material update to state aid. Stacy Gary, School Business Administrator, said the Massachusetts House approved increasing FY25 regional transportation reimbursement to 100 percent. "If this, with the 100% reimbursement, we will receive $1,453,995. So about $290,000 increase," Gary told the committee, comparing the House figure to the district's current estimate of $1,163,196 at an 80 percent reimbursement rate.

Board members and administrators said the final receipt of that money depends on further action in the Legislature. Gary and others noted the House action still must pass the Senate before funds are finalized and available.

Supporting details: the motion materials presented to the committee say the proposed budget represents an increase of $1,410,265, or 3.65 percent, over the current year. The committee discussion and roll call did not change the budget total; members proceeded to the vote after routine questions.

What happens next: administrators said they will monitor the legislative process; if the transportation reimbursement is finalized, the district will discuss whether to transfer the funds to a transportation stabilization account or apply them elsewhere in future meetings.

The meeting also included routine consent items and administrative reports following the budget vote.