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School leaders warn budget cuts possible as enrollment and funding shift
Summary
School officials told the Selectboard Chester faces reduced state aid and rising costs despite a nine-student enrollment increase; officials said the School Committee may reconvene to consider cuts to extracurricular programs and will pursue residency verification for certain students.
Dr. Matarazzo and Jason Forgue told the Selectboard on March 23 that reductions in state funding combined with rising expenses could force cuts in next year’s school budget. Dr. Matarazzo said Chester’s enrollment rose by nine students this year, even as the region sees an overall decline, and noted vocational school applications were high.
School leaders said the district reduced each town’s contribution to stabilization so the overall town share reflects a 2.44% budget increase. Asked what would happen if the budget fails, Dr. Matarazzo said the School Committee would need to reconvene and consider reductions, potentially affecting extracurriculars such as music, woodworking and counseling services.
The district is also pursuing residency verification for some students after letters requesting proof produced no responses; Dr. Matarazzo said the next step could be a public hearing and that the district must follow legal procedures. Larger districts often have staff dedicated to residency checks, a capacity Chester lacks, the presenters said. Whether Chester would be reimbursed if students are found to reside elsewhere “would require further review,” Dr. Matarazzo said.
The presentation flagged ongoing advocacy for increased state aid for rural schools and noted that neighboring towns are reporting enrollment increases. The Selectboard did not take a formal action on the school budget during the meeting; Dr. Matarazzo said possible program reductions would be determined if the budget fails to pass.
