West Bridgewater School Committee approves amended FY26 budget with 5.47% operating increase

The West Bridgewater School Committee voted March 10 to approve its fiscal year 2026 budget as amended, advancing the appropriation request to the town.

Chair Robin Dragonetti presented the updated budget, saying the school committee's operating figure is $8,547,337 and the plan currently reflects a 5.47% increase over the prior year. She told members the proposal assumes four kindergarten teachers and noted the budget includes a recently corrected salary line. The presentation also flagged two items outside local control: a projected net loss of about 20 school-choice students (reducing school contributions by roughly $100,000) and an increase in agricultural school tuition and transportation of about $324,000.

During a line-by-line review, members debated whether the district had been "rightsizing" too aggressively. To maintain instructional capacity and avoid cutting specialists, the committee approved an amendment to cost center 3230 (Teaching Services) to add one full-time equivalent at a cost of $62,579. The amendment was moved, seconded and approved by roll-call vote.

Committee members also reviewed other major line items with limited discussion: transportation was listed at $625,500; instructional technology, guidance and testing, and custodial and utilities lines were discussed and left as presented. The committee discussed Norfolk/Bristol agricultural placements and noted 15 students had applied so far (10 new applicants, five returning), with application windows remaining open through April 1; historical acceptance has been high, which could affect final fiscal numbers sent to the town.

Special-education spending rose in several lines, and the committee confirmed it will apply Circuit Breaker funding this year against out-of-district tuition and related services (the transcript indicates approximately $800,000 in Circuit Breaker application to out-of-district needs). Committee members clarified that some salary amounts were shifted from contractual obligations into the applicable salary lines as requested.

After discussion the committee moved, seconded and approved the FY26 appropriation request as amended. Roll-call votes recorded the present members voting in the affirmative; one member was noted as not present at roll call.

The approved budget will be forwarded to the town appropriation process; committee members thanked staff for their work and noted the budget subcommittee and finance committee will take the next procedural steps. The committee's next regular meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Middle-Senior High School.