Millville selectmen recommend $100,000 cut to Blackstone‑Millville budget; district warns it equates to a larger regional hit

The Blackstone‑Millville school committee addressed a recent Millville board of selectmen action during its April 11 meeting after administrators reported that Millville selectmen voted to recommend reducing the district’s certified budget to Millville taxpayers by $100,000.

Superintendent Jason DeFalco told the committee that, because the district operates under a regional 75/25 cost‑share formula, the selectmen’s recommendation would translate to roughly a $400,000 reduction in district funding, not $100,000. DeFalco said that the reduction would likely require additional cuts—he estimated it could amount to the equivalent of about seven teaching positions across the district. "That $100,000 is not $100,000; it's actually just over $400,000," he said and urged prompt follow‑up with town officials.

Committee members described the recommendation as unexpected and discussed next steps, including meeting with the Millville board of selectmen and the finance subcommittees to explain the implications. The superintendent said he would attend the selectmen’s April 22 meeting and noted the district plans to pursue diplomatic outreach and, if necessary, community petitioning and informational outreach to residents.

No formal committee action to change the certified budget was taken at the April 11 meeting; administration and committee members said they will continue communications with town officials and consider options that could include public information sessions or petition articles at town meeting if the recommendation is not rescinded.