Burrillville school committee approves FY2026 budget, uses limited fund balance

The Burrillville School Committee on Aug. 12 approved the district's fiscal year 2026 budget and directed staff to post the approved budget online.

Committee members were briefed by district finance staff member Robin on revenue and fund-balance decisions that shaped the proposal. Robin said the district used about $232,000 from career and technical education (CTE) and preschool revolving funds, received an $88,000 rebate from the Northern Rhode Island Collaborative after that collaborative dissolved, and planned to use roughly $120,000 of the district's fund balance in FY2026.

"This is the budget once you approve it, will be uploaded onto the district website," Robin said.

Members asked how close the district might come to drawing down the undesignated portion of the fund balance. Robin said the district's total fund balance is about $800,000 but only about $118,000 of that is undesignated; other portions are restricted for specific categories such as health insurance, out-of-district tuition, transportation and negotiated longevity obligations. Robin said it was too early in the fiscal year to predict whether the undesignated balance would be used.

Committee members discussed the district's use of revolving funds and trends in CTE enrollment, with Robin saying the district expects about 25 CTE students this year versus about 19 last year. Members pressed for ongoing monitoring of the fund balance as the year proceeds.

Motion to approve the FY2026 budget was made by Donison and seconded by Sylvia. The committee voted in favor by voice vote.

The committee received and filed the budget documents; the approved budget will be uploaded to the district website for public review.