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Gateway School board warns of roughly $1.6 million budget shortfall; grants and cuts to nonpersonnel likely
Summary
The Gateway School budget meeting was rescheduled to Feb. 25 after a quorum failure; the superintendent flagged about a $1.6 million gap, the district will pursue grants and plans to cut physical/operational expenses before personnel due to union protections.
An update to the Chester Finance Committee on Feb. 19 said the Gateway School faces an approximately $1.6 million gap between anticipated costs and anticipated revenues for FY27.
Brian Forgue told the committee an initial Gateway School budget meeting was canceled for lack of quorum and rescheduled for Feb. 25, 2026. He said the superintendent sent a letter outlining the roughly $1.6 million difference and that the district is preparing grant applications to cover shortfalls.
Because staff are covered by a union, Forgue said the district would look to cut physical and operational expenses before reducing personnel. He added the district expects Chester to have about five fewer students in FY27, and he noted the Barr Foundation looks promising as a funding source for FY27. Forgue also reported that the school’s Blind program — described as the only such program in western Massachusetts — is expected to enroll three additional students.
Forgue told the Finance Committee the school’s roof replacement had been planned and that the school’s debt has been paid off; the debt payments are now being redirected into the town Stabilization Fund. The committee did not take formal action on the school budget during the meeting.
