Wachusett administrators present FY26 draft budget amid ‘hold harmless’ funding squeeze

Superintendent Dr. Riley and Finance Director Michelle Grise presented the Wachusett Regional School District’s draft FY26 budget to the Business & Finance Subcommittee on March 3, outlining a proposed 5.92% budget increase and warning that the district remains subject to a state “hold harmless” funding treatment that limits the state aid the district receives.

The presentation emphasized the budget’s centerpieces: interventionist positions targeting grades 1–2 (each to deliver four 45‑minute sessions per classroom weekly), K–5 STEAM teachers, an additional board‑certified behavior analyst, an internship coordinator at the high school and an additional nurse for safety/compliance. Administration said roughly 0.5% of the increase above level services represents the new positions; it also plans to pursue 8–10 incremental FTEs through reprioritization, retirements and grant opportunities rather than full new salary funding.

The district framed the request as a response to student performance gaps and small but impactful enrollment declines. Dr. Riley told the subcommittee the district serves about 6,700 students and is down roughly 133 students (under 2% year‑over‑year). He said the district is one of the growing number of Massachusetts districts placed into hold harmless; under the governor’s budget iteration that treatment delivers only $75 per pupil more in Chapter 78 aid for FY26 (about $501,375…