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Regional school committee approves $31.4 million FY27 budget, taps $675,000 in reserves to lower town assessments
Summary
The Northborough‑Southborough Regional School Committee on Feb. 25 approved a $31,416,287 FY27 budget (a 5.81% increase) after presenting cuts and use of circuit‑breaker funds; the committee also voted to withdraw $675,000 from excess and deficiency and approved a $477,000 capital assessment split between the towns.
The Northborough‑Southborough Regional School Committee voted Feb. 25 to adopt a $31,416,287 recommended budget for fiscal year 2027, representing a 5.81% increase over FY26 and a $2,071,974 rise in spending.
Becky (finance staff) told the committee the recommended budget is largely a ‘‘level services’’ plan and identified four main cost drivers: special‑education transportation and out‑of‑district tuition, collaborative tuition, health insurance and salaries. She said the administration reduced initial department requests by roughly $1.3 million and will use circuit‑breaker funds to lessen the impact. "The recommended budget is coming in at a 5.81% increase over FY '26," Becky said during the presentation.
Committee members pressed administrators on special‑education transportation costs and vendor strategy; Becky said the district plans to obtain new quotes and to break transportation segments (in‑district, out‑of‑district, McKinney‑Vento) into separate solicitations to attract different vendors.
After discussion the committee unanimously approved the FY27 recommended budget by roll call.
To blunt the assessment increase to the two member towns, the committee also voted unanimously to withdraw $675,000 from its excess and deficiency (E&D) reserve and apply it to the FY27 operational budget. Joan moved the motion, which passed on a roll call. Greg said using E&D would reduce Northborough’s operational assessment to about 5.91% and Southborough’s assessment to about 4.83% under the committee’s scenarios.
The committee separately approved a $477,000 capital assessment for six FY27 projects; the assessment will be allocated to Northborough (61.26%) and Southborough (38.74%) based on the four‑year average of enrollment. That motion also passed unanimously.
Next steps include committee outreach to each town’s appropriations and select boards, a public hearing at next month’s school committee meeting, and the two towns’ spring meetings where assessments and capital articles are finalized.
Vote tally: FY27 budget — approved unanimously; E&D withdrawal $675,000 — approved unanimously; Capital assessment $477,000 — approved unanimously.
