Superintendent says $2.2–$2.3 million FY27 gap would force layoffs, program cuts in Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School District

The Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School District superintendent told the school committee and members of the public that the district faces an estimated $2.2–$2.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2027 and presented a package of fiscal strategies and program reductions to close the gap.

At a public hearing, the superintendent said the revised package combines fiscal strategies (about $770,000), program cuts (about $373,000) and $200,000 the district is banking on in potential state aid that has not yet been appropriated. She described the situation as "an extremely heavy heart" moment and warned that proposed reductions would lead to increased class sizes and fewer supports for students.

Administrators identified specific changes that would contribute to the savings plan. They reported a $47,000 estimated reduction in federal Title I aid, a net $62,714 improvement from updated revenue and expense projections (including higher Medicaid billing and a $50,000 tuition projection decrease), and other adjustments shown in the budget document. The finance staff walked the committee through where those changes appear in the spreadsheet.

The committee’s finance and operations subcommittee recommended a working assumption of $150 per student for Chapter 70 state aid while noting that the governor’s proposal was $75 and the…