Whitman-Hanson committee pauses layoffs after superintendent discloses $1.13M shortfall

Whitman-Hanson, Mass. — The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee voted unanimously Oct. 30 to direct the superintendent to suspend pending reduction-in-force actions for 30 school days after district leaders disclosed a recently discovered FY2025 shortfall that has carried into FY2026.

The committee convened an emergency public meeting after Chair Beth Stafford said the session was called to inform the committee and the public about the deficit. "This is painful to me personally," Stafford said, identifying herself as chair of the Whitman-Hanson School Committee.

Superintendent Jeff Simonak told the committee the district uncovered a $1,130,000 FY2025 deficit that "has rolled into the FY26 deficit," and said administration proposes immediate cuts totaling $811,642 to avoid an appropriation deficit on June 30, 2026. Simonak said those immediate cuts would lead to 25 union and nonunion separations affecting roughly 30 district positions, including six teachers who will receive reduction-in-force letters, 13 paraprofessionals in Unit D, and six central-office or support staff positions; five recent retirements or resignations will not be filled. "Every position represents a person and a contribution to our student success," Simonak said. "We approach this process guided with two priorities: first, to protect student learning and safety; and second, to treat every employee impacted with transparency, respect and support."

Committee members pressed administration on why the committee had not been given earlier notice. Several members described feeling "blindsided" after earlier meetings flagged smaller deficits in March and June. "I feel like literally I got an email that was a bomb and it blew up," said Glenn (last name not provided), a committee member. Simonak said the district engaged an outside firm and that updated figures were not provided to the administration until the week after the October meeting; he said counsel advised against giving uncertified figures publicly.

Members also questioned the use of Circuit Breaker funds and whether Excess & Deficiency (E&D) free cash had been certified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). Simonak said some Circuit Breaker money was used to close FY25 and that approximately $2.0 million had been appropriated in FY26 for out-of-district special-education tuition; he said the exact allocations and certified E&D amounts would be clarified by the interim business manager, Brian Hyde, at a future meeting.

Rosemary (last name not provided) moved that the committee "direct the superintendent to suspend any and all pending reduction in force actions for a period of 30 school days in order to allow the committee sufficient time to review the underlying budget, information, personnel impact, and procedural compliance before any further action is taken." The motion was seconded and, after discussion about timing and legal authority, the committee voted to approve the suspension; the chair announced the motion passed "unanimous." The committee did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript.

Union representatives addressed the committee earlier in the meeting. A WHEA representative said the union was "alarmed by the impact of these cuts and the impact they'll have on program quality and our district's functionality," and urged transparency and collaboration as the district works through the shortfall.

The committee asked administration and the consultant to produce detailed documentation showing how the FY25 deficit originated, how encumbrances and transfers were managed, and how Circuit Breaker funds were applied. Simonak said Brian Hyde and the hired consultant will provide a more detailed accounting at the next committee meeting and that the district will provide updates to families and the committee "to the best of my ability." He cautioned that some figures remain uncertified by the Department of Revenue and that counsel advised limiting certain disclosures until certification.

The committee's directive pauses the immediate issuance of reduction-in-force notices for 30 school days (specified in the motion as 30 school days). Committee members said they may call additional special meetings and expect weekly progress updates until the budget review is complete.

The committee adjourned after confirming the suspension and requesting a full briefing from the interim business manager and consultant at the next scheduled meeting.