Southwick‑Tolland‑Granville committee applies $100,000 from reserves to lower FY2027 town assessments

The Southwick‑Tolland‑Granville Regional School Committee voted April 13 to amend its FY2027 assessments and apply an extra $100,000 from its E&D (reserves) to reduce the amounts assessed to member towns.

Rob Stevenson, chair of the committee, proposed the move during a lengthy budget discussion as a temporary measure to “buy a little wiggle room” for the three towns while the district and municipal finance committees work toward longer‑term solutions. “I think what I’d like to do is put forth a motion tonight that we do that, that we’re gonna pull an extra 100,000 out of E and D,” Stevenson said.

Finance staff read the amended apportionments and totals for operating, capital, discretionary and nondiscretionary charges as part of the motion. Under the revised numbers, Southwick’s total assessment was read as $15,381,890, Tolland’s $378,294 and Granville’s $2,323,921 (as presented by staff during the meeting). The change was expected to reduce Southwick’s assessment by about $85,000, the chair said.

Committee members framed the vote as a short‑term step while cautioning against deep cuts that could degrade program quality. Members emphasized the need to help town finance committees and residents better understand what parts of the school budget are nondiscretionary (required by state law or fixed costs) versus discretionary. Stevenson said clearer outreach — including listening meetings in each town and a possible joint working group of the three towns’ finance committees — should begin now for FY28 planning.

The motion passed on a voice/roll‑call vote recorded as 4‑0‑0. Stevenson said updated warrant articles reflecting the change would be distributed to member towns promptly.

Why it matters: Committee members said the district faces shrinking reserves and unpredictable out‑of‑district costs (for example, vocational tuition and special‑education placements) that can add large, unexpected expenses during the year. Several members warned that aggressive personnel cuts could prompt families who choose the district to leave, which would worsen the fiscal outlook.

Context from the meeting: The committee received a breakdown of vocational applications and acceptances to Westfield Technical Academy (WTA) and Smith vocational programs; fewer acceptances than anticipated will lower the out‑of‑district assessment this year and affect revenue assumptions. Members suggested joint public sessions and finance‑committee conversations to give towns a clearer baseline before FY28 planning.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (minutes, warrants): approved by roll call, 4‑0‑0. • School choice seats added as recommended: approved, 4‑0‑0. • NECCO/METCO program seats for next school year: approved, 4‑0‑0. • Internal control manual for federal grants: approved, 4‑0‑0. • Amended FY2027 assessments with $100,000 E&D application: approved, 4‑0‑0.

Next steps: The committee will circulate updated warrant articles to the towns and hold a special finance subcommittee meeting that invites select boards and finance committees from the three towns to discuss capital items and the FY28 process.