Bridgewater-Raynham school officials outline budget review, warn of continued shortfalls and propose modest proctor pay change
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Summary
District leaders told the school committee the UMass-contracted financial review is near completion, highlighted cost drivers including salaries and out-of-district placements, and the committee approved a consent agenda; the budget subcommittee recommended a proctor pay increase and the superintendent said detailed reports and community presentations are forthcoming.
The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District reported ongoing budget stress Tuesday as officials described a phased financial review and signaled limited near-term relief for operating costs. The committee approved a consent agenda and the budget subcommittee recommended an increase to proctor pay while broader funding questions remain unresolved.
School officials told the committee they engaged a UMass public policy center to review budgeting practices and improve transparency. Superintendent Powers (referenced in committee minutes) said phases 1–2 of the review are complete, phases 3–4 were expected “any day,” and phase 5 was targeted for completion next Friday; staff will provide user-friendly reports and community presentations when the work is finished.
The budget subcommittee reported that salaries and benefits represent roughly 67% of district expenditures and that cost drivers include substitutes, utilities, transportation and out-of-district placements. Miss Babalola, the director of business services (reported in the minutes), presented monthly fiscal updates showing spending aligned with the approved budget. Committee minutes also show capital projects are now out to bid after late approval in the capital cycle.
On personnel pay, the subcommittee discussed proctor rates and reported the current proctor rate and the ESP first-step rate; the subcommittee recommended a 2% increase that would raise the hourly proctor rate to $20.84 for FY27. During the meeting the chair asked for a motion to increase the proctor hourly rate for FY27 to $22.82; the transcript records the solicitation for a motion but does not record the subsequent vote in the provided excerpt.
State-level funding pressures were also raised during public comment: the House 2 (governor's) budget figures were described as disappointing for Chapter 70 aid and for transportation reimbursement, which one speaker cited as $75 per person in the House 2 figures; the district's transportation reimbursement share was noted in the record at 88%. The minutes show sending tuition (money the district pays for students attending other schools via school choice or charter) listed on the cherry sheet at about $430,000.
The committee approved a consent agenda that included minutes (12/17/2025), a personnel report, and donations totalling $800 (Revolution Performing Arts $100; EREA Teacher Union $200; Trinity Episcopal Church $500), plus payroll warrants dated 12/24/2025, 01/08/2026 and 01/22/2026. The motion to approve the consent agenda was moved by Mr. Loach and seconded by Mr. Kaskillens; the transcript records the chair calling for "Aye" and the motion passing but includes no roll-call tally.
Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes include the pending UMass review deliverables and planned community presentations; the transcript excerpt does not record votes on the proctor rate or final action on the FY27 preliminary budget within the provided segments.