BVT superintendent outlines FY26 budget, proposes $700,000 in E&D uses and announces June retirement

Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, superintendent of Blackstone Valley Vocational Technical School, presented the Blackstone Valley Regional School District’s proposed FY26 budget to the Town of Uxbridge finance committee on April 9 and announced his planned retirement effective June 30 after 53 years in education. "I announced my retirement, in June 30 after 53 years in education," Fitzpatrick said, adding that the school committee did not push him to step down.

Fitzpatrick said the district’s FY26 budget shows a 5.7% increase driven by federal and state funding limits and rising fixed costs, but that the district has secured grants and low health‑insurance increases that ease the burden on member towns. "We have over $3,000,000 that's been secured in grants that add resources without asking the towns for that," he said, and noted that locally produced materials — including the printed budget book and a 30‑second annual report — were student projects used for…