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Hoosac Valley Regional flags special-education costs and enrollment pressures as FY2026 budget is developed
Summary
Superintendent Aaron Dean told the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee the FY2026 budget faces enrollment-driven assessment shifts and rising special-education outplacement costs; the district plans to use E&D reserves for capital projects to avoid raising town assessments but warned that recent outplacements are not sustainably funded.
Chairman Adam Emerson opened the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee’s Feb. 10 meeting as members and district leaders reviewed early projections for the FY2026 budget. Superintendent Aaron Dean and the district’s Business Manager walked the committee through known revenues and expenditures, enrollment changes and the effect those shifts will have on each town’s assessments.
Dean described two budget approaches under consideration: a level-service budget and a version that would contain program reorganizations, staff consolidation and other savings. The presentation noted capital projects identified for funding with Excess & Deficiency (E&D) reserves as a way to maintain buildings without increasing town assessments.
A central concern was special-education tuition for students placed outside the district. The superintendent reported that four additional students have been placed in private or residential settings, creating significant new tuition obligations. The presentation said school-choice reserves would be required to cover these outplacement costs in the short term but cautioned that relying on these reserves is not a sustainable funding strategy going forward.
Committee members asked for clarification about potential capital additions at the elementary school and specific projects such as hoop installation at the middle school. Member Fred Lora requested additional capital expenditures be considered for the elementary school list; Dean and staff said those items would be reviewed in the budget development process.
The budget update framed the district’s near-term approach as balancing facility maintenance and instructional needs while limiting immediate assessment impacts for member towns. The committee will continue budget development in coming meetings and work with town officials on outreach and communications.
