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Athol‑Royalston committee previews FY26 budget and warns of nearly $1 million hit after state grouping change
Summary
District presenters told the school committee the FY26 budget was built with several cuts and that a Student Opportunity Act grouping change — moving the district from group 11 to group 10 at 69.01% — could cost the district $956,647; a public hearing is set for April 16.
At the Athol‑Royalston Regional School Committee meeting, the district finance presenter walked members through the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and warned that a State Student Opportunity Act grouping change could cost the district roughly $956,647.
The presenter said the district’s calculated share for the Student Opportunity Act dropped to 69.01% — just short of the 70% threshold for the higher Group 11 allocation — and that the change reduces state aid. "To be clear," the presenter said, "by moving from 11 to 10 we're incurring a loss of $956,647." The presenter added that staff have raised discrepancies with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and with state legislators but described the odds of a reversal as "slim." (Speaker identified in the meeting transcript as the presenter and a colleague named Matt.)
The presenter outlined $1.4 million in above‑level requests that did not make the FY26 budget, including requested dean positions at ACES and ARMS, a school counselor at ARMS, behavioral‑support positions, a BCBA, a floater nurse, additional paraprofessionals, and some instructional technology items. The district also reduced planned preventative facility maintenance and removed one late bus (the budget had originally included two).
Officials reported excess and deficiency (END) certified as of July 1, 2024 at $515,281 and said the district had already moved $450,000 from END into this year’s budget to stabilize finances. The presenter cautioned that it is not yet known how much of those funds will remain at next certification.
The presentation flagged key budget drivers: rising transportation costs (notably special‑education and foster‑care transportation), higher special‑education service needs (speech, occupational therapy, paraprofessionals), salary and lane increases for ATA and non‑union staff, and a 19.9% increase in health‑insurance costs. To help employees, the district is planning to retain current plans while offering a higher‑deductible option to lower employee premiums.
The presenter summarized items retained in the draft budget, including reading supports (Lexia), a pilot choice between Bridges and Eureka curricula, translator services at half FTE contracted, administrator PCs, and business‑office onboarding software. The presenter said some retained items are funded partly with one‑time DESI funds.
The committee was reminded the public hearing on the FY26 budget is scheduled for April 16; the presenter also noted that the House Ways and Means vote on the governor’s budget falls the same week and could affect revenue projections. Town meetings were listed for Athol on June 9 and Royalston on June 7.
What happens next: the committee will hold the public hearing on April 16 and is expected to vote on the final budget following that process.
