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Monty Tech and Quabbin assessments rise; Quabbin superintendent says 21 positions cut amid state funding pressures
Summary
Town meeting approved assessments for Monty Tech and the Quabbin Regional School District. Monty Tech increases reflect enrollment and state-required minimums; Quabbin Superintendent Colleen Muha said the district cut 21 positions and made program reductions in response to reduced state and federal aid and rising costs.
Town meeting voted favorable on two school-related articles.
For Monty Tech (Article 12), Thomas Brown, superintendent, said the town's assessment reflects enrollment (35 Hubbardston students) and changes in the state's Chapter 70 calculations. He said Hubbardston's assessment rose about $31,000 this year, of which roughly $28,000 represented a state-required minimum adjustment outside Monty Tech's control. The Monty Tech budget itself increased by a reported 2.53%.
For the Quabbin Regional School District (Article 13), Superintendent Colleen Muha described the budgetary stressors: declines or shortfalls in chapter 70, Title I and rural-school aid, plus higher insurance, transportation and energy costs. Muha said the district eliminated or did not fill 21 positions in the most recent budget process, and provided a breakdown: six academic teachers, one custodial position, one technology position, four permanent substitutes, three support staff, two administrative service roles and four specialized instruction positions. She said some reductions came through retirements and reassignment, but the district still expects impacts from staffing changes.
Both articles passed at town meeting; Article 13 recorded seven opposed votes during the count called by the chair.
