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Freetown-Lakeville officials recommend $47.98 million FY26 budget as staff warn cuts would hit student services
Summary
Interim staff presented two FY26 budget options and recommended a $47,975,033 figure using a $400,000 school-choice placeholder; teachers and staff urged the committee to reject cuts at the April 9 vote, warning of reductions to special education supports, tutoring and class offerings.
Interim staff presented two options for the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District’s fiscal 2026 budget and recommended the committee vote a $47,975,033 total — a level that includes a $400,000 placeholder drawn from school-choice funds to preserve time to absorb possible state aid changes.
The recommendation came from Jack Higgins, staff member, who described the district’s budget process and the adjustments that produced the two options. “It is my recommendation, the recommendation of the acting superintendents, that the budget number would be voted at $400,000 greater at $47,975,033 with $400,000 as a placeholder being used from additional money from our school choice fund,” Higgins said.
Why it matters: District staff said deeper cuts would require staff reductions after supplies and other discretionary lines were pared to minimal levels. Teachers, paraprofessionals and parents warned that the smaller proposed increase would reduce services for…
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