Burrillville superintendent unveils $39.36 million FY27 budget and warns of tougher cuts in FY28

Burrillville Superintendent Dr. Salito presented a revised fiscal year 2027 school budget totaling $39,355,451, which he said "represents a 3.42% increase" from FY26 and will be discussed at a May 21 public hearing.

Dr. Salito told the committee the district will request that the town allow use of $150,000 in previously set-aside funds to reduce the ask, which would leave roughly a $165,000 gap between the proposed budget and the town manager's recommendation. He described the FY27 plan as using reserves and one-time measures "to get us through one more year" while warning that, without changes in state funding, FY28 could bring much deeper reductions.

Among the one-time measures, Dr. Salito said the district plans to draw about $300,000 from its career-and-technical-education (CTE) revolving account. He said those funds have accumulated from tuition paid by outside students and are being used this year to cover staffing costs; using them will leave the revolving account balance low going into future years.

Dr. Salito also flagged upcoming contract negotiations that could raise expenses, noting that the teachers' contract with the Burrillville Teachers Association and the district's transportation contract expire next year. He said charter school expansion and the municipal tax-cap (4% without special permission) are exacerbating fiscal pressure across the state because per-pupil funding follows students to charter schools, increasing transportation costs and reducing revenue for traditional districts.

On personnel, the superintendent described a list of 21 teachers identified for possible nonrenewal as a budgeting and scheduling tool; he said the intention in most cases is to restore positions when revenue permits but added that the district would be required to time any layoffs according to state law.

The superintendent said the FY27 budget will be presented in detail at a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21 in the council chambers; he said the formal vote on the budget is expected in June.

Why it matters: The proposed budget relies partially on one-time funds and reserves, which the superintendent said will blunt immediate cuts but increase the chance of deeper reductions in FY28 unless state aid formulas or other relief change. The committee voted to move the budget forward to the public hearing process.

Next steps: Detailed presentation and public comment at the May 21 hearing; final adoption expected at a June meeting.