East Bridgewater school leaders present proposed $28.2 million budget and $457,256 in reductions

The East Bridgewater School Committee on March 17 held a public hearing on the proposed 2026'27 school department budget, during which Superintendent Dr. Gina Williams outlined a level-services budget that would increase spending to $28,226,774 and detailed $457,256 in recommended reductions.

The reductions are intended to bridge the gap between a level-services projection and the town's requested target. "We have identified $457,256 worth of reductions," Dr. Gina Williams said, noting that keeping services unchanged would otherwise raise the budget from $27,769,488 this year to the proposed $28.2 million figure.

Why it matters: the town recently asked the district to present a lower number (the town's requested figure was adjusted to $27,625,000), creating roughly a 2.5% shortfall against a level-services scenario. The superintendent told the committee that inflationary pressures and contractual obligations, including projected health-insurance increases of 8% to 12% and a $324,000 increase in the Plymouth County retirement assessment, are driving budget pressure. Out-of-district special-education tuitions have also risen sharply in recent years.

Details and trade-offs: district staff described a three-part approach that prioritized non-personnel savings and fee adjustments before staffing changes. Listed reductions included shifting four lunchroom monitors to the food-service revolving account, continuing to contract for junior/senior high school psychologist services rather than filling a vacant position (an estimated $15,000 saving), and not replacing several retirements and unfilled positions (two instructional assistants at the junior/senior high, a half-time custodian and an administrative assistant). Presenters said those moves would increase some class sizes modestly (to about 20'2 students in affected grades) but avoid direct layoffs.

Special education and circuit breaker: presenters reviewed special-education placement cost ranges used in planning: public programs roughly $40,000'$45,000 per student; collaborative programs $55,000'$70,000; private day schools $75,000'$191,000; and private residential placements $300,000'$400,000. The district reported a substantial rise in special-education tuition and transportation costs from $1.9 million to nearly $3.1 million in FY26, with a net projection of about $4.7 million for FY27 after circuit-breaker reimbursements. Staff said some high-cost placements are expected to age out by FY28, which may reduce future costs.

Capital priorities: the committee also flagged capital items that need attention, including replacement of an end-of-life firewall (targeted by August), repairs or replacement of the auditorium sound and video systems, a new phone system with a no-upfront-cost option, an ADA-accessible bathroom at Mitchell School, repairs to baseball outfield padding, window shades at the junior/senior high, and a French drain to address leaks at Mitchell School.

Next steps: the committee has time between this public hearing and town meeting to refine the proposal and consider alternative reductions. The presentation emphasized preserving services where possible while balancing town fiscal constraints and contractual obligations.