Regional committee opens public hearing on FY27 budget proposing $31.4 million operations, 5.8% increase

The Northborough‑Southboro Regional School Committee opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget at its March 18 meeting, with administration presenting detailed line‑item totals for the district’s operational and special‑education programs.

Becky, who led the presentation, outlined function‑series figures by category: administration (1000 series) at $795,544; instruction (2000 series) at $12,734,883; other student services (3000 series) at $3,159,114; operations and maintenance (4000 series) at $2,420,117; fixed charges (5000 series) at $6,627,812; and regional programs (9000 series) at $300,000. She reported a total for regular day programs of $26,037,470 and a district operational budget proposed at $31,416,287 — a 5.81% increase over FY26. Special‑education program totals and circuit‑breaker offsets were presented as well.

The presentation included specific special‑education finance lines and circuit‑breaker reimbursements that reduce net special‑education costs. After the presentation, the chair asked for public comment; no members of the public spoke and the committee closed the hearing.

The hearing materials — including the school committee’s line‑item budget — were noted as available online, at the central office, and at town offices. The committee did not take a final vote on the FY27 budget at this meeting; the presentation and public hearing are part of the formal budget process and town meetings and further approvals will follow.

The committee will present budget articles at upcoming town meetings in Southboro (April 11) and Northborough (April 27), where voters in each town will consider the regional budget and capital articles.