Freetown-Lakeville committee approves FY27 budget, votes to adjust calendar and use reserve funds

The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District school committee voted March 11 to approve its FY27 recommended budget and several related funding motions after presentations from central office that warned of significant program and staff cuts if the budget is not supported. The committee approved the salary portion and the remaining portions by two-thirds roll-call votes and authorized targeted uses of school-choice and circuit-breaker funds.

Central-office staff presented an updated overall budget of $53,319,217 and a general-fund total of $49,542,654, increases they said reflect rising program and operating costs. Director of Finance Jack Higgins told the committee the district had received health-insurance figures that helped refine the numbers and described how the committee’s prior vote to use END (Excess & Deficiency) funds reallocated about $200,000 in capital costs, which reduced town assessments.

Higgins warned of staffing and program risks if revenues fall short: a below-level-service budget would require roughly $3.5 million in reductions, which the administration estimated would equate to about 50 positions districtwide (at least 33 full-time). A larger shortfall, the administration said, could require cutting $4.1 million and 58–60 positions and would force the district to revisit one-time purchases and capital decisions.

Committee members stressed the need to preserve program continuity for students while acknowledging pressure on municipal budgets. During public comment, Deborah Petty, a resident of Freetown, called for a roundtable including municipal leaders to address budget trajectory and urged the committee not to rely on the town’s capital stabilization fund for salaries.

Votes at a glance - Approve FY27 recommended budget — salary portion: approved by roll-call (one abstention recorded). - Approve FY27 recommended budget — all other portions: approved by roll-call (unanimous among recorded votes). - Utilize $55,000 school-choice funds for FY27: approved (two-thirds roll-call). - Utilize $1,910,816 circuit-breaker funds for FY27: approved (two-thirds roll-call). - Move historical SMHG refund into END calculation (balance-sheet action): approved. - Authorize purchase of four tires for a special-education van using surplus-vehicle proceeds ($781.32): approved.

Chair Jennifer Blum and other members said the votes were taken to preserve services and avoid deeper cuts to programs that support daily student experience, including special-education services, career pathways and extracurricular offerings. Members also discussed outreach to municipal leaders about revenue options and the timing of potential overrides.

The committee also voted to make March 20 a full instructional day so the district can apply for a waiver from the state education commissioner and truncate the school year to end June 26 rather than June 29 if the waiver is granted. Interim Superintendent Dr. Barbara Starky said the district had used all planned snow days and met most waiver criteria but would need to convert the March 20 half day reserved for staff professional development to a full student day to meet the remaining requirement.

The committee approved several non-budget actions in the same meeting: acceptance of an AES PTO classroom-supply donation, approval of an FLMS field trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo (May 22) with a $25 student charge, and acceptance of a three-year Democratic Knowledge Project grant to fund teacher professional development in civics. The meeting closed with thanks to students who presented a student-led spotlight on civic engagement.

The committee is expected to continue outreach with town officials about fiscal options; central office said it will provide further updates as state budget information and grant numbers become available.