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Wachusett superintendent proposes revenue-based FY27 revision after Paxton and Rutland votes fail; committee approves revised assessments
Summary
After Paxton rejected the FY27 assessments and an override failed in Rutland, Superintendent Jim Riley outlined a revenue-centered budget revision (using an anticipated Chapter 78 increase) to avoid service cuts and a 1/12 funding scenario. The committee voted unanimously to approve revised FY27 appropriations and town assessments.
Superintendent Jim Riley told the Wachusett Regional School District Committee that the FY27 proposed budget — a 3.09% increase, the smallest in 12 years apart from the COVID year — had not achieved required approvals in at least two member towns and therefore needed revision.
Riley summarized recent votes: the budget failed at the Paxton town meeting and, although Rutland initially passed a contingent budget, the subsequent override failed so the net effect was a failure there as well. "The FY '27 budget has failed to pass right now," he said, adding that Holden had passed its override and Princeton and Sterling had already approved their assessments.
To avoid program/service reductions and the severe operational impacts of a 1/12 funding scenario beginning July 1, Riley recommended a revenue-based revision that would apply an anticipated increase in Chapter 78 aid (a governor-proposed change moving per-pupil hold-harmless from $75 to $160) and use those additional dollars — roughly $555,000 at the district level — to reduce town assessments rather than cut positions. "We feel the clearest path forward is a revenue based approach to budget revision, as opposed to service reductions," Riley said.
The superintendent presented revised town assessment figures and asked the committee to approve an FY27 appropriation change of $88,999,462 with updated assessments for each member town. The committee moved, seconded and conducted a voice vote; the chair declared the motion passed unanimously.
Committee members discussed the narrow vote margins in Paxton, the level of misinformation at town meetings, and the need for clearer district communications and advocacy to explain the budget mechanics and the risks of 1/12 funding. Members urged targeted outreach and suggested using the district website and more consistent messaging as tools to correct misunderstandings prior to upcoming special town meetings.
Riley cautioned that using anticipated state revenue to reduce assessments this year could slightly increase fiscal pressure entering FY28, but he argued the approach avoids immediate layoffs and protects services for students.
