Bridgewater‑Raynham committee tables resolution on joint town meeting after heated debate over FY26 shortfall

The Bridgewater‑Raynham Regional School Committee on April 16 heard a detailed update on the district's fiscal year 2026 budget scenarios — including a projected $6.4 million shortfall if an override does not pass — and then tabled a proposed resolution that would have pledged the committee not to call a joint town meeting to restore funding if a special‑election override failed.

The issue came to a head after the committee read a letter from the Raynham Board of Selectmen asking the committee to "accept the decision of voters and honor the results, whatever they may be, of a Proposition 2½ override vote" and to remove the option of calling a joint town meeting if an override does not succeed. Patricia Riley, who identified herself as a member of the Raynham Board of Selectmen, asked that the letter be entered into the record and said the decision "should be made by the voters at the ballot box."

Superintendent Powers said the district is preparing for two scenarios: one in which an override passes and allows the district to restore staff and electives, and a more difficult scenario in which it does not. "We're looking at a $6,400,000 shortfall," Powers said, describing steps central office has taken to identify savings before cutting positions: negotiating health‑insurance rates (initially projected at 20 percent, reduced…