Groton-Dunstable committee certifies $51.37 million FY26 budget, outlines override scenarios

The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District school committee voted March 12 to set the district's fiscal 2026 appropriation at $51,369,833 and to assess member towns as presented.

The certified appropriation covers district leadership and administration, instructional services, other school services, maintenance and fixed charges; the superintendent and staff described three budget scenarios that range from the superintendent's proposed budget with no personnel reductions to deeper cuts that would be necessary if voters do not approve local overrides.

The superintendent and finance staff told the committee the operating increase in the proposed budget now stands at 6.53% after a lower-than-expected health-benefit renewal reduced projected costs. The presentation described three scenarios: the superintendent's proposed budget (no personnel reductions) that would require operational overrides in both towns; a second scenario with targeted personnel reductions and an override in Dunstable only; and a third, more severe reduction scenario that would require no override but would cut roughly $1.7 million and multiple FTEs.

Sherry (staff member) explained calculations for the scenarios and corrections made since the board last saw the slides. The materials showed the superintendent's proposed budget would require an additional $673,250 to Groton and $502,714 to Dunstable in operational overrides; the school portion attributed to the joint district for Groton was listed as $387,450 in the presentation.

The superintendent emphasized how staff reductions and frozen positions in prior years are changing service levels across buildings. She cited specific, building-level differences from last year to this year — for example, fewer reading interventionists at Florence Roche and at Swallow Union, elimination of an interventionist at Swallow Union, and a reduction in nursing coverage that left one middle-school nurse covering both buildings at certain times — and said, "This is different," to underscore the administration's reason for seeking local overrides.

After discussion, a motion to set the total FY2026 appropriation passed on a roll-call vote. Committee members voting in favor included the members recorded on the roll call as Roe, Rosanna, Faye, Catherine, Christina and the committee chair (recorded as "myself" in the minutes); there were no recorded no votes.

What comes next: the district will continue outreach with Groton and Dunstable town officials, present the scenarios publicly, and proceed with the statutory timetable for certification. The administration said work continues to identify efficiencies and pursue state advocacy (including Chapter 70 reform) to decrease the district's reliance on local overrides.

Votes at the meeting included multiple related budget actions and were recorded in the minutes; the certified appropriation motion is in the public packet filed with the March 12 meeting materials.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff, and the administration said it will provide further detail on assessment impacts and next steps to both towns as the override discussions continue.