Hoosac Valley Regional approves $23.14 million FY2026 budget; assessments for Adams and Cheshire pass 5–1

The Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee on March 24 approved a $23,136,636 FY2026 budget and related assessments for the towns of Adams and Cheshire, passing four budget orders by a 5–1 vote.

The committee adopted School Committee Order SC2503, the FY2026 budget that totals $23,136,636, which the administration says reflects a $654,917 (2.91 percent) increase driven in part by a roughly $1 million increase in out-of-district tuition and a 16 percent rise in insurance costs. On the same ballot the committee approved assessments for the Town of Adams (Order SC2504, $6,620,400) and the Town of Cheshire (Order SC2505, $3,206,082), and appropriated $275,000 from certified E & D to reduce member-town assessments (Order SC2506). Each of the four motions passed 5–1; School Committee member Fred Lora cast the lone opposition on the budget orders.

Superintendent Aaron Dean said the district is balancing reductions and investments to close gaps between revenues and costs, noting planned reductions “of 12 positions primarily through attrition, retirements and movement” and a suite of targeted investments in curriculum and partnerships. Dean told the committee the administration plans athletics consolidation where appropriate and intends to rely on alternative funding sources including school choice funds, circuit breaker funds, rural aid, and E&D to limit town impacts.

“Every child deserves an education,” Dean said while outlining grant-supported initiatives and staffing priorities the district intends to preserve. The FY2026 operating budget includes a $21,038,650 foundation budget, $1,013,986 for transportation and $1,084,000 for capital needs, totaling $23,136,636.

Committee members who voted in favor said the budget reflects hard choices to hold impacts to member towns while preserving key programs. John Duval commended staff on the budget work and described the plan as “fiscally responsible and quality-focused.”

Fred Lora said he opposed the orders because he believes the School Committee lacks a complete organizational chart and sufficient documentation to evaluate some resource decisions. He pressed for clearer organizational documentation before approving resources, a concern Dean disputed and the administration addressed during discussion.

What happens next: the adopted budget and assessments will be reflected in member-town budgets and the committee will proceed with planned partnerships and the cited operational adjustments. The committee also appropriated $275,000 from certified E & D to reduce the assessments for Adams and Cheshire.