School committee approves FY27 budget assessments after heated debate over non‑mandated busing

The Whitman‑Hanson Regional School Committee voted March 11 to set the district’s fiscal‑year‑2027 budget and to forward operating, debt and non‑mandated transportation assessments to the two member towns after an extended discussion over how to allocate non‑mandated busing costs.

Superintendent Dr. Marcus presented a proposed FY27 operating budget of $66,758,178 and told the committee, “This is the budget that we’re comfortable with. This is as far as I’m willing to go. I’m not getting rid of anything else.” The presentation followed a fuller fiscal update from Business Director Matt Wells, who detailed the district’s year‑to‑date finances and said leadership is working to “protect that END” — the district’s reserve — which they anticipate certifying at about $600,000.

The bulk of the public debate focused on how to treat non‑mandated busing (transportation the district is not legally required to provide). Members and outside guests disagreed over whether that line should be folded into the statutory assessment (which is allocated by the regional agreement…