Next, we reviewed the proctor salary um annual rate. The budget subcommittee has committed the past several years to do an annual review of the rate of payers within the district. As they are not part of the union, they do not receive annual colas or step increases. Their
current rate of pay is $204 $2043. And for fiscal year 2027, the first step rate will be $22.3. Um, so the proctor rate currently is much below that. After discussion, it was agreed to recommend an increase to
the proctor hourly rate in the amount of 2%. This would increase their hourly rate um for the fiscal year 2027 to $2084. I will entertain a motion to increase the proctor hourly rate for fiscal year
2027 to $228. >> Most by Mrs. Do we have questions and discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you.
>> [clears throat] >> Just for that for the record, do you know approximately how many we have within the district? Where does Mrs. >> I believe our last count, where is Mrs. Healey? She is. Uh I believe our last
count was 14 proctors uh spread out over our seven schools. Uh we typically at the elementary level have two proctors per building. uh one that uh oversees the library and the technology lab. Um at the middle school, we have one to two
proctors. Again, uh their primary function uh function at that level is really um class coverage uh covering uh meetings uh providing substitute coverage within the building. And then [clears throat] at the high school, we have multiple proctors. We have a
security proctor and then I believe we have two to three uh proctors that again do the similar function as the middle school proctors providing class coverage and substitutes. >> Thank you. Just for people that weren't sure what the proctor job is. So they're
not part of the union but they are throughout the district in various multitude of different. Um next on the agenda is a review of the memorandum of understanding with the towns regarding capital. Mr. Car
presented a memorandum of understanding between the towns and the water region ski district regarding capital um regarding how and when it be presented to the towns and assessed and aligning the three entities regarding that. Um this will not amend the regional
agreement. However, it is recommended that the regional agreement at some point in the near future that we open and do amend it so that is aligned as to this understanding. Um I believe it is my understanding the towns are also currently reviewing this as well. Um,
this was put in your folder for your review. Um, and if you have any questions on that, Mr. Towers can speak to that and we will bring it back to our February 25th meeting to approve. Um, if you do have questions between now
and then, please let me know and we can bring that to the next meeting and the next meeting as well when we review it. Um next is the base update. Miss um the base director reviewed the base program
and recommended um based on our prior um budget subcommittee meeting um an increase to the base summer program as well as the base vacation program. Um currently they are both $35 per day for the summer program for full day and $38
per day for the vacation week program for a full day. Um this is in contrast to an early dismissal for half day wraparound program which is $40 per day for less time. Um so the rates currently
are not making sense with the half day rate um nor do they align with each other. Um so based on recommendation from who attended that meeting um the business office and Mrs. based on our discussion. Um, we did make
the following recommendation um to increase that rate. Um, I'm going to do them as two separate. Um, I will entertain a motion to increase the summer base program day rate to $50 per day starting summer of 2026. >> Second.
>> Motion by Mr. Lo, second by Mr. Do we have discussion, questions? All those in favor? Any opposed? And then the second motion, um I will enterain a motion to increase the um vacation week program day rate for base
to $50 per day starting fiscal year 2027. >> So move second. >> Motion made by Mr. Lo, second by any question. I'd just like to commend you uh Madame Chair and Miss Silva uh the work that's
been put in to turn around a negative position, negative cash flow to uh a self- sustaining program in the base program is tremendous. And this is just going to make sure that we're able to sustain that going forward
and not have to fund it from anything uh resembling END or anything like that. So just kudos to everyone on that. >> Thank you. And I definitely want to thank Joel and Silva, the base director. Um when this was brought to our
attention that we were running quite red on that program. Um obviously it's not a program that we want to get rid of. Um there's a huge this program for vacations, half a day after school, before school. Um, but it does need to be self-sustaining. We cannot be running
programs with financial outlook right now. Um, that are in the red. So, based on her looking at staffing ratios that are safe but still mindful of budget, her collecting all of the fees on time, working with us. So, she has really
turned that program around. So, thank you so much. That's what um we did receive at that budget meeting a CLA operational review update again and calling center update as well. Um and Mr. Powers presented his updated
fiscal year 2027 bud budget presentation um regarding the numbers we received from the state that he's presenting later this evening. We approved the January 12th, 2026 budget subcommittee meetings minutes rather.
Um, last of the note on budget. Um, we did have the joint meeting with the towns on January 21st, 2026. Um at that time at 7 p.m. we met in the Edward O'Donnary fiscal year 2027 budget to the towns and
the school committee and respond to questions regarding the um my goal really of that meeting um we have not been having those joint meetings very long. We only have a couple. Um the goal of it is really to align the three entities. Um as one of our community
members said earlier, um we don't fund ourselves. We do create a budget incentive to the towns to fund, but we cannot create back in the back. We really need to be on the same page and be working together. Um so I'm hoping that based on having these regularly, um
we will create a better working relationship um and be better. So hopefully that good will come out of it and we'll continue to have those and keep ones right now. >> Oh, sorry.
>> I have a second. All those in favor [clears throat] getting ahead of myself. Um, Mrs. Conrad and Mr. Gibbons, do we have an update? >> I'll defer to Miss Conrad.
>> Um, I would just say we continue to meet um with all the unions, the retirement unions um or the retirement group um to review um insurance. This is really has to do with insurance plans of the district. Um, uh, RP has gone out by our
insurance broker. Um, I believe it was to six or seven different, um, entities. Um, most being, um, you know, big commercial health plans and the other regional plan. I think Mr. Bar um, and we're waiting for those quotes
to come back and we will have those, I believe, in February to see what those rates are. Correct. Yes, we expect those back in February. I believe our next meeting is the first or second week of March to review. Um obviously uh you know just to make everybody aware and I know
committee committee is aware of this but just for the general public any changes in health insurance benefits have to be negotiated. It's not something we can arbitrarily do. Uh so we are Miss Conrad Labendo mentioned we're working with our unions both our active and retirees. That is something we we have to legally
do. We cannot just change insurance rates or change plans. um you know in in what's provided in those plans without actively engaging in negotiations. So that is something that continues to to happen. Uh I again I want to commend our
uh you know union partners uh for coming to the table being willing to do that. Uh shows that obviously they're they're committed to the well-being of the district as well. Um and obviously to the school committee members Mr. Chris Gibbons and Miss Conrad Lamarto for participating as well. Miss Healey who really has taken the the lead on this
and is working with our insurance advisor to get us as much information as possible to be able to make an informed decision. Um obviously our you know current charges are trending in a positive direction as I shared last year we had uh significant high claims costs which really were driving up our um our
rates and obviously we landed at a 15% uh initial information this year is that those high claim costs have gone down. Uh we don't necessarily have as many claims being submitted at this time. Obviously, that could change at any moment, but that hopefully that will
result in a favorable rate for next year. I don't think it'll be significantly less, but obviously anything less is is a savings, but we we do continue to meet and we'll continue to work with with our partners to make sure that we're putting forward the best option for the district, the towns, and
the community. >> And I'll just add um Mrs. is and I've talked about a lot we we the district or we have also looked at the GIC plans to see what that would be in comparative because that is um you know the commonwealth the state and many um towns
and communities buy insurance through GIC the rates weren't that much lower if they were lower actually can't remember but the timing of it was really off a decision would had to be made by December and we were not ready to pull that trigger in December we wanted to
put um this out to bid to rates we would get back. Um, it is still on the table. It is part of the conversation. Um, I will say as Mr. P kind of said um, insinuated is based on what the insurance broker said to us um, and you
know what is happening across the state, our 15% that we got last year is actually really good compared to the trends and the themes that other towns and municipalities are seeing in their increase in insurance rates. But everything [clears throat] is on the table right now. We're looking at it all. The unions have been great and kind
of thinking about what are some different options with the plans. And so more more to come, but it is something that we are um monitoring and following and seeing what we can improve on. >> To echo that last point, I I I do believe uh Mr.
Correct me. I think it was he said statewide that we're seeing about a 17% increase was the average statewide increase last year. So although our 15% was, you know, certainly shocking to us and to the communities, statewide average was 17% according to our insurance program. Just for a point of
reference, >> yeah, and I I just note I have personal knowledge of uh [clears throat] Hampton County, uh the purchasing group out there in Western Mass, they got a 20 to 25% increase in their health
insurance. So it's a it's a market condition. It's not a racing condition. >> Thank you. >> Uh next we have policy subcommittee reports.
King policy policy subcommittee met on January 12th in attendance was myself, Mrs. King, Miss Andy Boy Thomas, Mr. Guthro, and Superintendent Powers. Um the first that
was discussed was EFBA the school um food and nutrition meal the meal modification um that was on the school committee meeting meeting last month. We did not receive any feedback around any or comments around that. So at this point I would make a motion to approve
policy EFBA school food and nutrition and combine it with policy afford. >> Sorry I was skipping that. So first I would make a motion to wave the reading. >> So Mrs. Con is making a motion to wave
the second reading of policy EFBA school food and nutrition which is merging with policy ADF wellness policy. >> Second motion made by Mrs. Con. >> Any discussion?
>> All those in favor? So now I will make a motion to approve policy EFBA school food and nutrition and combine it with policy ADF the wellness policy. Um the policy the combined policies give us one
comprehensive wellness policy and it we're calling it ADF wellness um and AFBA will be removed as a standalone policy. >> Second. >> So we have Motion made by Mrs. Conrad and second by Mr. Ro. Do we have
questions or comments on that? >> Seeing none. All those in favor? >> Um, next on the agenda was policy EA, transportation services for students. Um, this policy was added to the agender as the subcommittee was considering um a
transportation survey that would include a potential opt out. amilies who do not wish to use the district provided transportation. As a regional school district, transportation must be available to those who use it um and would like it again within the mile and
a half radius radius. Um the group um discussed sending out the survey um and the possible survey questions. The um subcommittee thought the survey might identify potential savings in the transportation portion of the budget. We discussed the importance of leaving
no stone stone unturned to achieve um savings um and the number of buses the district currently uses. Um should the survey results show that families do not use transportation or would like to opt out um of using um the district provided
transportation. There might be some savings in transportation cost. Um the plan of the plan um is to send out a survey the end of January with the survey closing end of February. no action was taken. And just so folks know on this is um a family could choose to opt out. Again, we have a lot of high
school kids or some not a lot but juniors and seniors that will never take the bus because they drive um but they are still counted on those buses and there are some younger students who parents drive them every single day. I will say if a family choose to opt out,
they would have the ability to opt back in if something changes in their circumstance. We cannot we cannot deny them that um ability to opt back in. But we start thought let's start with a survey. Let's see again what the results may be. So again, no action was taken.
>> That's good. >> If I may ask a question for either Miss Conrad Labberto or the superintendent or whoever may know. Um, so we'd still have to run enough buses in case everyone decided they wanted to
opt in even if others said they opted out, right? Or would we just decide we could just reach out to Lucini and create new bus routes during the middle of the year? >> Um, I I think obviously, you know, we really have to wait to give you a
definitive answer on that if it's given once we have the survey data. Um I I think ultimately if there's a possibility of combining some routes, we we certainly wouldn't want to combine routes or combine um you know two buses and have them be full and have no room
to add any students back if we need to. Uh but if there is an opportunity to do that and still have some um you know flexibility where if we had to add additional students back because a circumstances may change with the family, then that's something we'll definitely explore. But to your point,
we we don't want to have these buses so uh scheduled and crowded that we have we don't have any flexibility. So we hope it could, you know, result in in potential savings, but um you know, we're not 100% sure that it actually will. And again, it could be that every
parent still decides to hold their spot in the event that something happens. Um, and so, you know, the results may come back that we hope everybody still wants to to have a spot and they can still choose then to drive if they're uh, you know, old enough to have their license
or their parents or could bring them or they could car pool or such. >> Thank you. >> Of course. >> Um, next item was BDFA represent representation on external committees. Um, Miss Qu asked to have this policy
add to the agenda asking to update some of the groups on the list. The subcommittee discussed ways um to involve some of those groups um how to have them involved in the school committee. Um based on some of the conversation, it was decided that um the
best way to do that was through the leadership meeting that the superintendent holds um and that um external committee or external groups could provide a report to Mrs. King and that she would um um bring that information forward. um bring that
information forward. Um but what also came out of the committee or out of the policy the reviewing is there was some groups that were listed on the policy that were outdated. Um it just wasn't up to date. So there was some housekeeping
on the policy to change um some of the language relating to the groups that were listed um on the policy. So the only thing that was changed on the policy was just updating some of the groups. Um So at this point I will
make >> no >> it's just okay I'll make a motion to update policy BDFA with housekeeping changes >> motion made by Mrs. Conra second by Mr. Any discussion or questions on that?
All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Anything else? Mrs. >> That is it. Thank you so much. >> Um, next under new business, we have the superintendent fiscal year 2027 preliminary budget presentation. Um,
following the presentation, members will have a chance to ask questions and provide comments and feedback. Finally, the school committee will then vote to adopt this fiscal year 2027 preliminary budget as its own. It will then go to budget subcommittee to review and
revise. The school committee fiscal year 2027 budget will be presented by myself as budget subcommittee chair as public hearing on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 at 7 p.m. here in the Bridgewater Regional High School lecture hall. At that time following presentation,
members of the school committee will be again invited to ask questions and provide feedback and as it will be a hearing members of the public will as well. Mr. Harris is going to make his presentation. [clears throat] Okay, good evening everyone. Uh, thank
you so much for attending tonight. Uh, we have obviously state and local officials here, so your attendance is much appreciated. Obviously, we have our administrative team here. Thank a huge thank you to them not just for attending but also their hard work and dedication
not just to our students and our families but also they contributed greatly to this uh you know the budget process and obviously they're really the ones that are executing this budget. I also want to acknowledge uh you know our many faculty and staff that are here again your continuum support. I know
unfortunately this past year has been very challenging for you, but I applaud your efforts. You continue to put the students at the forefront. Not that I would ever expect anything less, but I truly want to commend you for that. And also to our students, families, and caregivers that are here. Again, your
presence shows how committed you are to our district and you want the same thing that we do, positive outcomes for kids. So, thank you. I am here tonight to present the FY27 presenting budget to you. For some of you, this will look familiar as I presented a very similar
presentation uh to the joint uh committee last week for both uh towns and this group. Uh really what I hope to be able to do tonight is to provide an overview. Certainly welcome introductions. we kind of just covered that but [clears throat] give you a snapshot of the district uh
who we are what we're about talk a little bit about the budget building process and then obviously I'm going to present the details of the FY27 budget and we'll talk about next steps going forward regional school district is the second largest regional school district in the
commonwealth uh the Wuset Regional School District is first with 6,400 students uh and active box trails third with a little over 500 years. Something that we take great pride in obviously you know we're take educating the
students of Bridgewater and Rainham seriously and it's something that brings us great joy. Uh we do have eight schools although we have seven school buildings we do have eight schools because of our therapeutic day program school and currently this year our October one seat count so how many students we have sitting in our district
on October one is 5,458 and that preschool through grade 12. Plus, as you know, we're responsible for educating some of our students up to age 22. So, that represents the the plus. Enrollment has changed um without a
doubt. We have seen a decrease in enrollment this year. We're down approximately 224 students from last year. You've heard me speak in the past how each year, especially the last three prior years, we have had over a hundred new students into those three years. And
then even when you go back in time, enrollment has continued to increase. This is the first time in my tenure that enrollment has decreased. We do believe in speaking with some families. Uh they have chosen to leave the district given the financial challenges that we were
faced with this year and they were seeking other alternatives, lower class size, more offerings, things that unfortunately we're not able to provide uh at this time. I did want to provide a snapshot though u again from this year's data going back
over five years. Uh you can see at the high school which does not include the therapeutic day high school enrollment. It's simply the 9 through 12 program here. Uh that we are actually only down three students over the last five years. I know there's always some talk about the high school losing a number of students from 8th grade going into nth
grade because students choose to, you know, possibly attend one of the vocational schools or agricultural schools uh or maybe a private high school. But really, as you can see, for for every student leaving, uh we have students entering. We obviously in the past have offered school choice, but we
have many uh students actually attending the high school because we have families moving in. Um at the middle school level, we actually a significant increase over the last five years, positive 317. And then at the elementary level, we have
seen our enrollment go down. And just to provide some context in terms of, you know, what's making up that change, we really are seeing a, you know, significant boom on the Bridgewwater side at the middle school level. Actually, we're plus 340 students at uh
the Odon Middle School, formerly Bridgewwater Middle School. we were to go back through the years and unfortunately over at Rainham Middle School we are down 23 students over those five years. So the changes uh you know 317 overall at the elementary level
we have seen a decline on both sides of the district at the elementary level and again this is you know not following cohorts through but looking at total enrollment over time. So the total enrollment for Mitchell this year as compared to last year in the previous years uh Rainham uh elementary school
students uh so elementary schools so Liberty and Merrill are down 29 students uh and the Bridgewater elementary schools which would be Mitchell and Williams are down 214 students over those five years. So we are losing students uh but overall this is the
first year our total enrollment has actually gone down. I I think it was mentioned already. That is a concern of mine. Obviously, as our situation may or may not improve, we may have other families seeking those
alternatives. And as you know, these October one numbers, the 5,458 contribute directly to the amount of state aid that we receive. And obviously, the less students that we have, traditionally that's associated with less aid that we're going to
receive. So, that is a concern. But I wanted to just give you a snapshot of those 5,458 students. Uh you can see on the left and this is currently our students sitting in our seats. This is not historical. I'll share that. But this is our
students as of October 1, the makeup of our student body. You can see uh race and ethnicity on the left and selected populations. And I'll explain a little bit more of those as we go. But when you look at the first category,
uh obviously you can see that our district is is changing. And again, what I tried to do here was provide this year's data. So the far right column 25 26 compared to last year and then look at 10 years ago. And you can see the district has changed. The district has
become uh more diverse in such a positive way. I think where you know we have students attending Bridgewaterian from all over the world. They're bringing different life experiences. They're bringing different backgrounds and cultures. uh it's just making us a more unique um in school system and
obviously much more uh diverse and then we get into selected populations. So the department of elementary and secondary education uh break student our student body down into what they refer to as selected populations down into subgroups. Uh the
high need subgroup is actually reflective of those following categories. So, how many English language learners do we have? How many students first language non-English looking at our low income and then our students with disabilities? And what you can see is obviously again over time
those percentages have increased. And so the percent of students uh overall that require additional support uh need a higher level of service has increased. When you look at 10 years ago, uh 26% of our students were considered high needs.
Now we're at 41% of our students. 41.7 last year and 41.3 this year. That is significant. That is significant. Just shy of half of our students are considered high needs. Again, high need students require additional instruction, additional support, additional
intervention. A lot of times that additional support comes with additional costs. This graph just kind of summarizes the points I I just shared with you. Uh what you can see here is obviously again this year's enrollment compared to the
previous years and 10 years ago. Uh you'll notice what's missing from this year is the staff number. So these numbers are all certified by DESIE. We have to submit them as part of our uh fall submission and once they have an opportunity to review them and confirm
them, they essentially certify them and and publish them. They have not certified and published our staff rates uh yet. But as you know, we're down, you know, a significant number of staff members this year, 34 teachers. So I would imagine that obviously when that
number is certified that we will be well under 330. Uh just one last point here, uh when you look again at enrollment 10 years ago, uh even though this year our enrollment is down compared to 10 years ago, we did have less students, but we had more
staff and the needs of our students was less. Fast forward to today, we have more students with less staff and the needs of our students are great. This slide uh is just a summary of of our mission, vision, and our commitment
to equity. Uh you you've probably heard me. If not, um I'll certainly say it tonight. Our mission is really about excellence in education for all students. It's something that we're committed to. It's that I I feel as though that we enter school every day trying to provide. It's at the forefront of
decisions that we make. It's at the forefront of uh planning that we do. We really believe that if we're able to achieve our mission that we will have a highly successful school system and we do that through the development of a student success plan. In short, our
student success plan is really the strategic plan of the district. We have used and adopted the department of elementary and secondary education strategic planning model referred to as planning for success. Uh and this is built on having clear and actionable
objectives and initiatives in order to meet that. And you can see the main priorities for the district during this strategic plan, the implementation of our strategic plan, which is a five-year plan. Safe and supportive schools. We want our students to not only be physically safe, but socially, emotionally safe as well. As you can
imagine, curriculum instruction and assessment shows up. That's what we're all about, right? That's the core of what we do. And then operations. So, not just facilities, not just technology, uh, but also our, uh, budget systems that we have in place. And then human capital. We really believe that, uh, you
know, our the foundation of our school system is really, you know, built upon two main components, our students and our staff. And so whatever we can do to invest in our staff to make sure that we're attracting high quality staff, that we're retrain uh retaining high quality staff, and that when we can,
we're developing and promoting high quality staff internally. I will share with you, unfortunately, our student success plan, our strategic plan has had to uh take somewhat of a pause this year. many of the staff members that are responsible for the initiatives in this plan. I mean
ultimately I'm responsible for all of it but many of the staff members that were tasked with uh achieving some of these initiatives unfortunately have left the district uh they uh position was either eliminated uh they were moved into a different position because of our financial challenges or they left the
district for more secure opportunities. So as much as these pillars and these objectives remain in our forefront, uh we we've we're making slow if any progress on them currently given our staffing model.
The budget process, I I've shared this with you, uh, begins as early as, uh, the summer, but typically September, October, where we begin to ask our department heads, our principles, uh, to share budget requests, whether it be staffing, whether it be goods and
services. >> [clears throat] >> We obviously work on that through the month of November and December and typically present to you in January preliminary budget and then there's a public hearing in March and then the school committee votes to approve that
budget and then send it to the towns typically in May for their approval and funding. Couple things I I want to point out that were unique to this year. Obviously in November December we did extend invite
to our elected officials uh to come tour our schools uh just to see, you know, firsthand some of the challenges that we were having. We wanted them to understand why we're asking for some of the things that we're asking for. Thank you to those that uh did take us up on that offer and attend that. Uh hopefully
you walked away with a a true understanding of some of the challenges that we're having. So, thank you for coming. It does mean a lot. I know it meant a lot to our staff to have you there. Uh we also uh followed up with our partners in mediah at the Brockton Enterprise. Uh they had given
us a lot of uh coverage leading up to the override vote. Uh but we hadn't really heard too much from them uh since the failed override. And so we reached out and asked if they'd be interested in doing a follow-up, which they were. Uh so happy to share that. We invited them in. They told our schools in January and
ran several follow-up articles. Many of our students were interviewed, staff were interviewed, and so it was just a great opportunity for us to be able to to share that with the community. Uh we also uh did uh present to school committee and I'm sorry back in December
uh some of our stakeholders and their feedback. We heard from some of our parents at leadership meeting. We had uh student meetings as well and meetings with our staff who were able to provide some of that feedback. Again, they shared some of the challenges that they're having this year and some of
their hopes and desires for the future. When we actually get into the budget process, obviously there's really four main sources of revenue that we'll we'll talk about this evening. Uh the first is chapter 70, state aid. You've heard it mentioned, but I'll I'll provide a little bit more detail in context. Uh
chapter 71, which is the uh state regional school transportation reimbursement, uh local aid provided by the towns, commonly referred to as the assessment. What what do we assess the town of Bridgewwater and Ringham? And then obviously, uh local uh district
ions that we provide. The the first process in establishing what the state will give us in state aid is that they actually determine the found what they refer to as the foundation budget. And that's actually the first box over on the left. But a quick snapshot of what the foundation budget is, the state determines an
adequate spending level for each school district across the Commonwealth, which is referred to as the foundation budget. So they look at each individual district, the programs, the students, the profiles and uh demographic characteristics and they establish an amount that they feel as though that
that should be what they refer to as the foundation budget. This is the amount of money that should spend. Now typically uh well let me get into the next and I'll I'll provide a point of clarification from there. Uh the state determines local contributions. So this
is the local target contribution established uh establishes an ideal goal for both communities and how much that they can actually provide towards the school system. They obviously look at uh the city and town's wealth or in this case our town's wealth uh by looking at
the property value and the income of the residents. And so of that foundation budget, they look and say this is what we believe both towns and this number is combined can contribute towards the FY27 budget.
And then what they determine is well what's the difference? How much state aid do we need to provide the city or town or the school system in our case the regional school system in order to uh meet that foundation budget. Now, the
local uh contribution plus the state aid is uh the district's net school spending requirement. That's the minimum amount of money that we can spend. Now, there are years, including this year, where local contributions and state aid actually equate to a higher amount uh
than the foundation budget. So, we're actually looking at a slightly higher amount this year. When you look at say uh last year and some of the previous years, what they established as the foundation budget was what uh the local towns were expecting to contribute and also state aid combined uh equated to.
But this year uh fortunately we're slightly above $84 million when you look at our 49 and 34 number. So again, between the two towns and state aid, uh the minimum that we have to spend on education is 84
million and change. You'll let this marinate for a minute. I I think if anything, this really highlights the challenges that we are having as a district. It's near impossible for us to develop and
present and execute a consistent budget year-over-year when our chapter 70 funding is a roller coaster. Now, there's many factors that go into uh chapter 70 funding. Mr. Gallagher, Representative Gallagher
mention some of them. Obviously, you've heard me talk about enrollment. So, they look at how many students we have in the district. And so, it's no surprise that FY27 was a smaller increase. But then there's also a minimum per pupil and this year it's been set at 75 where in
years past it's been 150, 60, 104. Again, it varies. and also inflation. When you look back at FY23 and FY24, the inflation factor was very high. But what doesn't necessarily uh you know
somewhat defies uh reasonable expectations, you know, when you look at FY25, we actually had more students in FY25 than we did in FY24, but those other factors factors contributed. Inflation went down, the minimum per pupil was
down, and so we only received almost $600,000 more. But then you look at FY26 and we benefited went up 8 and a half%. Again, more students and some of those other factors change slightly. But here we are
in FY27. We were hopeful, although we're not, you know, confident that we would get a similar increase. We were hopeful that at least we would get more than what we got in FY2. We certainly never expected to get less. how we have more
students. So, this is our challenge. This is our reality. Uh we have right now only an additional $400,000 in in chapter 70 funding and that's going to present some challenges as we go through this budget process. Uh regional school transportation
reimbursement. Again, this was supposed to be an incentive for cities and towns that were contemplating regionalization. Uh they were going to fund transportation at 100% for eligible costs. That has never happened. As I shared with the the group earlier, FY26
this current year was predicted to be at about 95%. The way the funding is trending right now and coming in, we're hovering at about 86%. Sometimes the state does u you know provide additional allocations towards the end of the year to actually match
for a reimbursement rate. Uh but this year FY27 where it's [clears throat] it's slightly over 87% we're looking at a $2.6 6 million reimbursement. Again, you know, thankful for any funds that we
receive, but but it's less than uh just to, you know, share some again points of information. As I shared, we have 5,458 students. Of those students, 89% of them are eligible for school transportation.
4,835 students are eligible for the bus. Certainly, not all take that. We understand I'll take the bus. But that's how many students, 89% of our students are eligible. Meaning that 89% of our students live a mile and a half away from school. Those that live under a mile and a half obviously are not
eligible for transportation. And parents, you know, take on that responsibility and decide how those students are going to get to school. If if you know, obviously we had more students participating um you know, that that would also be
challenging for us. I one time we provided transportation to those living under one and a half miles and it it just was not cost effective. But I just want to share 89% of our students are eligible for transportation. Uh locally, as I shared with you, the
state determines how much each city and town should contribute based on the uh city or town's wealth. They look at property values, they look at personal income, and then each town is assessed for their required contribution which is based on enrollment. So they look at our
foundation enrollment which is slightly different than our seat count. So that number I shared with you in the beginning is our October one seat count. Our foundation enrollment is slightly different because it's reflective of all the students that were financially responsible for. So we may have student that is in an out of district placement.
We are financially responsible for that. Special education placement. Uh again you heard mention student choice and charter school when our students need us to go to those. We are still financially responsible for that. And so the the foundation enrollment number typically is higher than our seat count as you can
imagine because we're responsible for more students. We are down in our foundation enrollment this year as well as you can imagine but certainly not by 224. Uh what I share with you up there obviously is the [clears throat] first
row is the FY26 required foundation contribution. So in this current fiscal year, Bridgewwater was required to provide 28 million plus rain 18 million plus for a grand total of 47 million uh plus. What I have
shared in the past and I will always continue to do so is that both communities obviously funded a higher level. Uh they're obviously funding, you know, there's other costs associated with running a school district such as transportation. Uh and so these charges are just, you know, the minimum
contribution. But also there are are assessed in a town such as transportation. So funding over um and again it varies from year to year the last few fiscal years between the two towns covering the cost of trans their share of transportation and the additional funding has equated to about
additional $10 million. Uh for FY27 you can see both communities are required combined to fund is at $49 million 49.6 This just shows assessments, the town's
assessments over time. Again, just as a point of reference, and you probably, you know, are aware of this, those FY27 numbers are reflective of the preliminary budget presented here this evening. Those numbers are obviously not what has been provided
because we're not yet in fiscal year 27. But you can see from 23 to 24 to 25 to 26 how assessments have changed over time. Uh the last major uh funding category that goes into our budget is the
district contribution. As I've shared in the past, the district has elected uh has contributed to the budget through fees collected, rental fees, athletic fees, parking fees, Medicaid reimbursement, circuit breaker
reimbursement, miscellaneous receipts, uh interest earned on any uh of our funds that that come in from the state, and then obviously excess and deficiency END, which is, as you know or may not know, is our version of uh a city or town's free cash.
And what you can see over time uh is that the district has been forced to contribute uh additional funds each and every year going back over the last few years. Last year was our greatest amount since I've been in the district. 3.7
million dollars that has been decreased this year, projected to decrease this year back down to 2.9. Just getting uh you know the more we take out of END because that's obviously where the majority of this funding comes from. Uh you know this past year we
contributed $2.8 million towards that 3.7. the year before was 2 million, 1.6, and then $1 million. As we continue to deplete that fund, although we have revenue uh funds going into that END each and every year, the
more we continue to take out, the less that will be available future budgets because as things get tighter and tighter, there's not that excess funding available. This really just provides a snapshot and an overview of all the funding
categories that I just shared. So you can see over on the left hand side that's chapter 70 over time, district contribution over time, the bridgewater assessment and then the rain assessment. And obviously each one of those color
codes represents a different district. The other thing I wanted to to share with everyone tonight because this is talked about a lot is the per pupil expenditures. Uh and this data had actually has been updated since uh our joint town meeting. Uh the state has
released updated information. So I did update update that from what was previously shared. So you'll notice some of the numbers are off. per pupil expenditures uh to keep it simple are basically uh looking at our operating cost divided by our uh number
of students. So it's basically how much we spend per student to run the school system. How much does it cost to educate each and every student? So in 2024 395 districts were included in the state report.
The highest per pupil was $51,000. $51,000. That was up, I believe, the information I presented to you last week, was 48,000. So, you can see the highest has gone up by 3,000. The state average again has gone up by thousands. It's now
$23,000. I believe the number I gave you last week was 21. Our per pupil expenditure is 16,783. up from 16,100 in change. So again, you can see the highest changing significantly, the state average changing,
we changed incrementally. The lowest per pupil is $9,000. Of the 395 districts that the Commonwealth shared, reported on, we rank 384.
We dropped lower by six rankings over last year even from last week when I shared this. Now we dropped by six. Below are only five public school districts.
There's four charter schools and two virtual schools. Of those public school districts, only one is a K to2 district. We're currently the second lowest K to2 district in the country for per
there's one K8 district, one K I'm sorry, two K6s and one K5 then obviously as you can imagine feed into regional middle school and high school question is often asked well how do we
change that? We need to spend more per student. The only way that the per pupil expenditure changes for the good is to have additional contributions. You can see here this is reflective of you look at our budgets essentially the
percentages of the budget what comes from local contributions the towns what comes from the state and then obviously what comes from the district. The only way to change that bottom number how do we increase that 16,000 is
either increase more from the district, increase more from the state, or increase the town. There's no other way to change the per people pupil expend. My fear is I'm standing in front of you
next year will be even lower. When we build our budget, we try to build it build it with best practices. And what we've looked at, what we've done in the past, we've asked our principles and district administrators to submit budget requests. It's for a
needsbased budget. And what we mean by a needs-based budget is one that's aligned to our mission, our vision, our equity plan, our equity statement, and our student success plan. It puts us on a path to excellence. It's what we need to ensure positive outcomes
for our students and provide them with the highest quality of education. This budget is reflective of our collective commitment to excellence in education for all students. The number, although somewhat startling that we put forward to you last year, $
109 million budget operating budget, $6 million more than what you'll see tonight. Essentially, that was a best practice budget. That's what our students need and deserve. Unfortunately, I find myself standing before you tonight
not presenting a budget that is going to ensure positive outcomes for kids. We asked our principles to not submit any requests. We said to them, "We're only going to be able to give you what we gave you last year and maybe even
less." It's not based on the needs of the school. It does not reflect the feedback that we've heard from our stakeholders. You've heard many of our parents, our staff, community members stand up and talk about the need for lower class size.
Class sizes not lowering by one student, class sizes lowering significantly. We should not have 27 28 students in a kindergarten class, but that's our reality. I'm afraid that this doesn't ensure positive outcomes for students. When you look at our recent achievement data
being down staff from last year, we're already seeing the negative impacts of that. Our achievement data is down in only one category in the MCAST that our achievement data improve. We're seeing significant gaps still from
pre- pandemic and and I know we're somewhat, you know, a few years removed from that, but we're still seeing the ill effects of that. Our students that are now entering in school had very little exposure to
in some cases kindergarten, some cases early childhood education. Our students that were here were learning virtually were not here full-time and you can imagine the negative impacts and then on top of that we reduce staff
recipe for disaster. As I've presented in the past our budget is broken down by series and here's an explanation of of each one of those series. I certainly won't read each one of these to you. Administration
is essentially what it sounds like. This is central office. So the superintendent's office, the business office, human resources, actually includes our technology licenses as well. Instructional services, as you can imagine, that's the core of what we do.
That is our textbooks, our supplies, resources, materials, our teacher salaries, secretarial [clears throat] salaries, proctor salaries, ESP salaries, our salaries for our administration. Other school services, that's where our nursing services come
in. Transportation, athletics, food service, extracurricular, school security, contributing to our school resource officers. Operation maintenance, again, self-explanatory. It's utilities and the maintenance and upkeep of our buildings and grounds. Uh
fixed costs and benefits, health, health insurance for active and retirees. Other insuranceances that we have to uh provide, asset acquisition, which is capital expenses. 8,000 is debt retirement services. So again, any borrowing that's
had to happen uh for past school projects or school construction fall into that category. And then programs schools. This would be special education tuition. This would be charter school school choice as well.
So the 1000 administration uh again the way this is set up is you'll see what we uh had for an improved budget in FY26. What we're proposing tonight and the difference and some rationale as to why. So as you can see we reduced the uh
administration line central office budget by 105,000. uh we reduced a position and unfortunately we have delayed some of our uh technology licenses uh the purchase of those and programs have been deferred.
The 2000 series obviously we we have increased our costs uh for a number of different reasons. We have to provide an education to our students. So there's going to be an increased [clears throat] cost in supplies and materials. There's textbooks that we have to buy. We have
to provide our students with devices. Much of our learning happens on the Chromebook. Whether it be uh you know subscription based, whether it be assignments, the district is committed, the school committee is committed, the towns have funded a onetoone program for our students. Every fifth grader, every
ninth grader when they enter, they receive a device. Much of their instruction and work is actually assigned through there and submitted through there. Um it's something that we have committed to as a district. And then what's reflective here obviously is restoring 10 positions.
Now I I want to again be clear that's restoring 10 positions. These are not 10 new positions. These were positions that were a mere fraction of what was eliminated in FY26. Now why 10? You know, I have an obligation as a superintendent to
advocate for what our students and staff need deserve. and and I I take that responsibility to heart each and every day. Obviously my own children are products of Bridgewwater or one is product of Bridgewwater Rainham one is currently here at Bridgewwater Rainham. Uh so it
hits home you know for me as well but I'm trying to also be a collaborative partner with our towns working closely with Mr. Barnes from Rainham and Mr. Castle Davis from Bridgewwater and looking at the financial situation of towns and how can I be a collaborative partner while still
advocating for kids. And so to me, putting forward uh 10 positions, restoring 10 positions, not 10 new positions, restoring 10 positions seemed to be a reasonable stop. It makes small incremental change that we feel as though would be sustainable over time.
And our hope is that we will continue to add. you know, I was recently uh you know, shared this question, you know, does the district need additional staff if enrollment is down? And so I I just wanted to provide some kind of context around that.
Yes, enrollment is down 224 students. Absolutely. However, it's spread out over 14 plus grade levels when you include preschool, and you include our postgrad programs across eight schools.
It's not a a onetoone correspondence. So yes, if we lose students, does that mean we could lose a teacher? Well, something to consider during any period of the school day across the district, all of our buildings, we are essentially
running 176 content classes. Now, by content, I mean ELA, math, social studies, science. That doesn't factor in uh other electives. It doesn't factor in world language. Doesn't factor in uh unified arts. We're essentially running
176 content classes. Losing 224 students basically equates to reducing each one of those classes by one a little over one student per class. That doesn't speak to me that we need to reduce staff
even though we've lost 224 given the way those students are spread out. Now, I would certainly acknowledge if we're using a ratio of one teacher or 25 students for every one teacher, we know our class size averages are higher. If we lost 25
second graders at the Mitchell Elementary School, yes, there is an opportunity for us to reduce staffing by one because it's in a specific building, a specific grade level in, you know, certain cluster. But when you take those 25 students and spread them out over the
district, it's not possible to always staff when you reduce the student enrollment. Again, if you were to use that same analogy, that same average 25, average class size of 25, which we know is not our reality,
but losing 224 students, there'd be a loss, the equivalent loss of nine teaching positions. >> Yet, we lost 34. The high school alone has lost 122 students from last year. Which again, if
we're going to use that 1 to25 ratio, the evening Miss Watson and her staff could lose five. We lost 20. Over two years, we're down 48 teachers. [clears throat] 48 teachers. So, I I don't think
we can continue to lose staff. I don't think we continue to keep our staffing model the same. If you were to keep that same studenttoteer ratio that we had prior to the last two fiscal years when we had layoffs and you use that 48
teacher number, we'd have to lose 1,200 students in order to justify losing 48 teachers. So looking to bring back 10 teachers to start again. Is 10 enough? I would argue no, but it's a place for us to start. We're
trying to propose a budget that impacts each one of our levels, elementary, middle school, high school. It doesn't necessarily create great conditions at all those levels, but it's a start. And where I had to start was saying that
we shouldn't have any K to 5 classrooms over 30 students. We have to commit to as a district to no K to 5 classrooms over 30. What this chart is is projected class size averages for next year. So the numbers you see up there is what our
projected class size averages for 26 27. And you can see some high numbers that are just simply unacceptable. We shouldn't have 27 and 28 students in our kindergarten class. We shouldn't have 37 students in the fifth grade class.
So this is where we're making an effort to say no K to 5 class over 30. So we're going to need an additional grade teacher in Bridgewwater. We're going to need an additional fifth grade teacher in Bridgewwater. We're going to need additional fourth grade teacher in Rainham. And we're actually going to need two additional
teachers in fifth grade to make a difference to get that below 30. And then if we add one additional teacher in grade seven, again, that's going to reduce the number down to 29.5.
Again, 29.5 is not great. really great for me to be the superintendent up here advocating to have class sizes of 29, but 29 is better than 35. So committing to no classrooms over 30, grades 6 to 8, low 30s. We have to make
an attempt at the high school to restore some of those positions. The social studies score is currently running at over 30. And again, these are our core. They don't include all of our classes, all of our electives. So when you actually walk into some of our history and social studies classes,
you're going to see and some of you have the our elected officials that join, you saw 35 36 students in some of our classes. So again, looking at the core the core requirements that our students have to take. The average is 32. Obviously, we have some higher, some lower, but then
we have additional courses that are running where um you know, you heard me speak, we have a math class with 42 students in outside of the core, 42 students. So, looking to address by reducing the
social studies core by one and then looking to add three additional teachers to be able to restore some of our electives lost. I've shared with you this is reality that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, they're the
accrediting body for high schools across the Commonwealth. They have already issued a letter that they are concerned about our current status in FY26 and they need additional information from Miss Watson this spring about what FY27 looks like and they have already told us
that it may result in us being placed under it's not good for our students. the 3000 series again um you know small increase so what's driving some of that um you know our contractual increases in
transportation costs uh have gone up for both regular transportation special education transportation but what I can say is that um happy to report that our special education transportation has stabilized I stood here before you last year talking about the amount of uh
students students that had qualified for in district and out of district transportation that we had additional students qualifying for out of district placements. Both of those have stabilized which has resulted in a smaller increase. So as you can imagine you know the cost of goods and services
go up every year and this is reflective of that but a much smaller increase than what we've asked for in the past. And I do also want to point out uh Mr. once again uh is working with us as a partner to trying to uh absorb some costs that we routinely cover. Our
transportation routing software is typically something that's paid for by the district. Mr. Lucini is now absorbing that cost through his budget. So thankfully that allowed us to reduce cost there. The 4000 series and you know I think Mr.
Fitz Gibbons uh always raises this point. We built some really buildings. Um, but we're judged on how well we take care of them. And, you know, as we continue to make cuts in areas, facilities and operations is no different. But that does mean, you know,
we don't have as much funding available to take care of our buildings, maintain our buildings, and so that that again has a negative impact. Uh, but we've looked at how can we reduce some of our overtime costs, how can we reduce substitute costs. You know, we're hopeful every year that we have a custodian that needs to take an evening
off or day off for whatever reason that we're able to hire a sub. So, we budget for those. Unfortunately, we just haven't been able to fill those positions over time. We have actually a couple subs working for us now, but consistently it hasn't happened. And so, we look at, okay, well, we're going to need to reduce those those lines. And
so, that has allowed us. We also looked at utilities as well, how we can make some savings. and that was able we were able to reduce some of those costs. Uh fixed cost and benefits again you know the major driver here is health
insurance for active and retirees. So we're looking at uh you know approximately if with a 15% cost we'd be looking at roughly about you know 1.9 cost for active health insurance 1.3 for
our I'm sorry 1.9 total 1.3 for our activives and about $600,000 for our retirees. Um I've talked to you about unemployment insurance. Uh, you know, we we looked at some historical budgets and there were years where we budgeted
$25,000 for unemployment benefits because we were not laying any staff off. So why budget funds there? We currently have budgeted almost $600,000 in FY26 and we're again budgeting almost $600,000 in FY27.
We are having funds where we have about $90,000 worth of unemployment charges in Healey. Uh, you know, that's obviously not sustainable. Obviously, as we get further away from July one, we'll have less individuals on unemployment, but if we're in a situation where we're having
to reduce staff again will now be in that cycle. Uh the Plymouth County retirement assessment, so our contribution to Plymouth County, much like the the town of Bridgewater, as you know, that's gone up approximately 8% as well.
And then programs with other schools. As I did mention, uh our out of district number of students attending out of districts placements has stabilized. We actually very similar number to last year. Uh we have a couple students that are aging out next year. So we're
actually in a really good stable place with our out of district placements. However, you did hear representative Gallagher mention school choice and charter school chart. those are up over $400,000
FY26. So those charges obviously account significantly to the difference this year and and that's just something that you know as representative G mentioned you know that's something that we are going to continue to see is my fear if this doesn't improve we are getting more
students looking to attend charter schools public districts school choice on a positive note we've been able to reduce our debt uh as we have some projects coming towards their end of life typically payments, debt payments
are reduced. And so this year, FY27 proposed is less than what we paid in FY26. I think I shared with our elected officials at a point meeting, but just for the community, we do have several projects where FY27 will be the last year. Uh so, you know, we approximately
have about $100,000 that'll come off our budget in FY27 for the what was the Bridgewwater Middle School, now the Odon Middle School rebuttal. back in 20 2009. We'll actually have about a million dollars coming out of uh debt services
in the budget in FY20 after FY27 for the high school construction project which was from 2007. And then uh the Williams school remodel will be coming off of the budget in FY28, I'm sorry, after FY28. And that's
approximately $334,000. So we'll definitely continue to see some relief uh in the debt services which is which is great. This is what our preliminary budget looks like. Uh again, it's a snapshot of those series that I just went through
individually with you. Here they are collectively. You can see them as compared to FY26 approved and FY25 approved. What you'll notice is the 7000 series capital uh is grayed out. I did include that just so you could see a
year-over-year comparison, but as Miss King spoke, uh we have been working closely with the towns over memorandum of understanding of how capital will be funded. So that number actually won't be uh considered until the fall when both
towns uh have their free cash certified. And obviously that number uh could change again uh at the request of uh the town manager and town administrator trying to get uh that number down. certainly looking at that if we can. So that number will uh may be different but
we're looking at you know for an operating budget which is really our 1 2 3 4 5 and 9,000 series would be 103,791,889.93. Again, capital will be taken out. And then obviously this debt service,
if you were to [cough and clears throat] keep capital in just for a budgeted amount, you would see it would be, you know, 109,318,727. Uh without capital, we're looking at roughly $107 million. 107 million730,227 is what our proposed budget is right
now. This also shows you uh what we received preliminary for funding. As Representative Gallagher mentioned, uh there this budget is not finalized. What the budget the governor had shared out still needs to make its way through the house, the senate, uh the joint
committee and then obviously back to the governor for final approval. So while we are holding up hope that these numbers and funding increases, uh we're moving forward uh with these numbers at this time because that what we have been
given thus far. So our chapter 70 numbers again represents about a 1.2% increase over last year. Chapter 71 is actually a decrease over last year. If we were to as of today assess the
town of Bridgewwater and the town of Rainham for our budget, our total budget of 107 million excluding capital at this point, it would be an roughly an 11% increase to Bridgewater and
approximately an 8% increase to rain. You can see the district contribution. Again, I mentioned to you that uh lowering the amount that district contributes back to $2 million for END versus 2.8. So that 800,000 is reflected
there. You can see overall this represents, you know, 5.3% increase over last year. What we have next is the public hearing
in March, March 11th. We'll be back at here at the high school in the auditorium where Mrs. King will present a budget for the public to respond to provide feedback. And then at [clears throat] the March 25th school
committee meeting, um school committee will adopt the FY27 budget. Hopefully will adopt the FY27 budget and then share it with both the town of Bridgewwater and the town of Rain for their approval funding. Obviously, you know, there are several
individuals who are sitting in this audience that, you know, I wanted to take a moment to thank. First and foremost, the school committee for their advocacy, Miss Babalola, our director of student services, Mr. Rojo, our treasurer, Mrs. Barry, our assistant superintendent, Miss McDougall, the executive assistant, the entire
administrative team who's here, but the town of Bridgewwater, obviously, you know, we have a very strong partnership with Mr. Castanova Davis and Mr. Cavini. Worked very closely with them, not just this year, but you know, have been sitting in this seat meeting on a regular basis and obviously the town
council I appreciate your involvement and support town of Rainand Mr. Barnes Mr. LED his finance director again currently we meeting with them we also meet jointly Mr. Cob Mr. Barnes Mr. let and our team so we're meeting
collectively as well and then obviously the select board from happy to entertain any questions at this time uh certainly if I don't have an answer for you I will follow up with you and get you the answer as quick as I can just to share again and make the point
these are preliminary numbers and so it could change Do you have questions? >> Sure. I guess I'll go first. >> Um, so thank you, Superintendent Powers. Um, as you know, you and I have talked a
couple times about the budget and from my standpoint, if we're all here, we have great people in this town in the two towns and how we can shoot the standard pretty low. um in terms of
restoring 10 positions. Um looking at for me, I know it's approximate, but if we're allocating $600,000 for unemployment, that's about six teachers based on algorithms you've told me. And then on
the $426,000 for school choice, I guess, um it looks like about 1.26 26 million um going to unemployment and out of district. And if we can set a budget
that has that as its funding. So looking at about 1.10 um maybe we'll keep those teachers, maybe we'll keep some of those students so that we can have a robust school and a robust community um in the school. So
I I think for me it is really how to provide a budget that sets the bar high and then if we need to make adjustments work through those adjustments rather than set it at a
budget that restores just 10 positions. So that's just my two cents on looking at different things in the budget. Thank you. >> Well, I I I think you you make a great point. Obviously, we'd rather divert those funds that we're budgeting for unemployment um to back to our own
teacher salaries, active teachers that are employed here at the district. So, you can make a good point and then obviously if those students are not leaving the district, school choice and charter school goes down, we don't have those charges again funds that go back
to the district. >> This is this is Um, you know, I would like to thank Mr. Powers and budget subcommittee for, you know, coming forward with, you know, what you, >> again, what we what you I hate to say reasonable because I don't think it's
reasonable, honestly. >> Um, but coming forward, what we think may be okay to the towns. I will say this again and I've said it before. You know, up until last year, the year before, we backed into budgets based on
what the town said they had money for. And now we are in a place that is unsustainable. I look at this and I hope everybody in this in this room did. It's very sobering and it makes me want to throw up. We are at number 384 of 395. we are
bottom of the barrel the whole state and that is disgusting to me and to my kids that have to sit here and go to school at the high school. Um, and I look at what the education they're getting this year versus last year and there is a significant difference. The education standards have been lowered because our
teachers are overwhelmed. So again, it's great that we can offer 10 positions back. Um, but do I think we're doing our best? Far from it. Far from it. Thank you. Uh, I couldn't agree more
with Mr. Selenus and Miss Conrad Larento about everything they just said. I just want to inject unfortunately a little bit of reality at the moment.
asking for close to 10% increases from each town um is going to be really tough for them to swallow. And if we have to cut beyond what the superintendent has suggested, which I am
not I'm I'm not in favor of the budget as it's been presented necessarily. I'll learn more about it uh in the next few weeks. Um, but if we have to cut more than that, we're looking at real stuff. We're
looking at, and this is just my opinion, that's not I I haven't done this by anyone or anything. Um we're looking at elimination of all extracurricular activities. We're looking at um perhaps
closing schools, consolidating schools into into um you know different configurations, moving kids maybe from uh below the eighth grade between towns,
which has never been done before. just so we can close a school or two to make sure at least we have those funds available to us. Or another way to close buildings is to do double sessions in fewer [clears throat] buildings. So
those are just that that looks like reality to me if we have to go lower. I don't want to be there. I just want to put that out there so people have heard it and won't be surprised if they hear it again from me. Anyway, thank you.
I just want to know I I think I'm the most senior person at eight years which is sad. Um I just want to say in my eight years on the committee every year the superintendent has stood up here at the January presentation of our budget and
has presented a needsbased budget. It was a 30% increase. Maybe it was what do we need to be fully successful for our student success plan? What does a senior graduating look like to have everything they need to go out into the community,
be successful, do great things? What does a kindergarten student come out with going to first grade, learning to read and write? Um, for the first time in eight years, we are not seeing a need-based budget. Um, the gap our
budget right now and what that would be is too great. Um what Mr. Powers has presented is what he's thinking is a reasonable budget to present to the community and to the towns because we understand last year was a poor
financial year. This year is still going to be a poor financial year. Both towns have things going on. Bridgewater has a water issue they are dealing with that's critical to their community members. has revenue issues and they're also trying to fund the BP project out of
their operational budget. Um so we are seeing that and we're trying to be reasonable but yes even presenting an incremental increase adding back 10 critical positions is not where we need to be but we need to start somewhere and
we need to work with the two towns to figure out as Mrs. Conto said how do we dig out of this because many years we have been just matching with the times that they could give us and it is not getting us anywhere and we are moving [clears throat] way far back. So this is
Mr. P's budget presented to us today. We're going to accept it as a school committee to review and revise it. Um we have several subcommittee meetings and another school committee meeting to work that through until March. Um but yes, it
is not the budget that we ever want to see from Mr. Powers. is the superintendent and generally we see from him what is the budget that he imagines that his admin his principles his teachers want to see and this is not it and I I know that this is not what we
want to see either so as I said before with our joint meeting with the towns we definitely need to work through and figure out what is our plan projection wise to get where we need to be and what is the town's plan projection wise to
get where we to be and I said that at our joint meeting we don't want to take away from other departments I understand that we are a department of town um we don't want to take away from any other town department so we definitely need to think of going forward this fiscal year
and successive fiscal years what is our our projection what what are we going to do to fix this across all departments of the town because every department I know fire departments, police, highway, water, they're all issues. So,
it needs to be a bigger discussion. >> Um, [clears throat] so just in looking at kind of the position and whatnot, I didn't see much in terms of special education. Dr. D'Angelo is confident that our current staffing level compliance needs for students.
>> Yes. at this time. Yes. [clears throat] We made no reductions across any of those department services to make sure we remain in compant. So we feel that we continue those services going forward.
Thank you. >> Yeah. And thank you for um presenting the budget in such a way that people in the town that aren't, you know, talking about it on a weekly basis can understand how it's put together. Um I think that's really important. And I
just I think we're all in consensus that this budget bothers us. Uh it's not what we want to be putting forward. I understand the want to be palatable to the towns. Um, but I think that maybe this has been thought in another way, but maybe we're shooting oursel in the
foot here though by only restoring 10 positions because if we go for an override, we know overrides pass maybe once every eight years, not in our case. Um, how are we going to keep adding positions once we pass this hurdle? um
if we're not asking for what we actually need right now. Typically what would happen in that situation and you're right that is definitely a challenge because obviously if we're voters were to decide to pass an override would either be to you know
fund these 10 positions or whatever positions we put forward certainly to get back to the 72 we lost and then the other 50 that we had proposed in the past you know it would be incremental over time we put through uh to add additional
staff for attition so we had a teacher retiring who you know has been in the district for x number of years um for every you know two teachers are retired or sometimes able to hire three new teachers um you know depending on what
their salaries were they had at so we would look at those opportunities to try to add staff that way but doing it that way would take a significant amount of time not be something that we see changes overnight >> Mr.
Uh, Mr. Powers, thank you very much. Certainly not an enviable position. Um, you know, I guess my comments would be for anybody that wonders what rock bottom is like. I think if I heard you right, not just bottom 11, but second lowest K through 12 funded uh, school
district in the state, you know, which, you know, as I think back earlier in the evening under the administrative update, we're talking about the operational review where where we work agreed to work with the towns to look at how we're spending our money to make sure that there's no waste, right? make sure that we haven't got to this situation because
we're being reckless with our spending. You know, I think it's really darn hard to be reckless when you're the second lowest funded in the state. And and that second lowest funding, that's that's FY24. We're in FY25. So, we're the second lowest and then we got 35 more or so positions for this year. So when we
sit here a year from now and we look at what FY25 is, there's a very likelihood we we could have the dubious distinction of of being the poorest funded K through2 district in the state. Um it's very well possible. Um you know I I also
I I empathize with with councelor Lindy, you know, at the beginning um you know I think there's a lot of people that might look at the superintendent and say this is not enough. They might look at the school committee and say this is what are you doing? They're certainly looking at the town council and the select board saying, "What are you doing?" And I know
I've had my frustrations as well. Um, you know, I think we're at a moment here where we are sitting at rock bottom and we have a choice. We can continue to go lower or we can all kind of get on the same page and start to look at how the
heck do we get out of this together. Um, you know, I think as the point's been made, we don't fund ourselves as a district. You know, we don't come up with our own money, our own capital. uh it comes from the towns. Um there's clearly something as we talk about all of the needs in all of the departments. It's again, it's not about pointing
fingers, but something structurally probably has to change within both of the towns. It's 2026 now, and I think sometimes we operate like it's still, you know, the the uh as my kids like to say, the late 1900s. Um right, it's it's 2026 now. Uh the towns have changed. Um
you know, the tax bases maybe have not. Um, similarly, a lot of talk about chapter 70 and chapter 71. You know, we talked earlier tonight and and Mr. B. Gibbons was asking about questions around the transportation survey plan to send out, which, you know, for those of us in the policy committee, we're
looking to overturn every stone as as Miss Karma Larto said, how do we save every penny possible so that we can keep it in a classroom? We can keep it to a teacher, we can bring back a program. You know, we're talking about bring back 10 positions. You know, we're not
talking about, you know, there's no fifth grade music program at RMS right now. It's borderline criminal, right? The fees that families are paying for sports, it's it's outrageous, right? Uh right. And we're we're talking about, you know, bringing back 10 10 positions. Um you know, certainly trying to be
respectful to the towns, but um you know, we talked a lot about the chapter 7071 funding. You know, that also has to change. And there's been hearings. It's going to be years until that changes, but it's the whole way that the state funds education. You know, I want to keep the focus on Bridgewater and Maro
because that's our community, but the Mass School building association or authority or whatever the heck it's called. You know, I think they approved like $118 million to go to Lexington's $650 million high school. It's like the most expensive high school ever built in the United States. They're funded by our
tax dollars. That's a quasi public group. And I know Representative Gallagher is here and he's excellent. if anyone has a chance to talk with them. That's a quasi public group. Funding comes from our tax dollars every time we pay sales tax. Penny of that goes over there. So, we're all paying for a $650
million high school in Lexington and we're the second [snorts] lowest funded K through2 district in the state. You know, it things have to change on all levels and none of that's going to happen overnight. We didn't get here overnight. Um, you know, I I think people need patience, unfortunately, to
as we we all dig out of this, but you know, also I I don't think I don't think 10 is is is a number that I can support. So, appreciate everything that you and the team are doing and and um you know, it's just uh I think we need to, you know, show our kids that they deserve
better than um than what they're getting and you know, go from there. Thank you. Seeing no other questions at this time, I want to motion to accept the superintendent's fiscal year 2027 budget as the school committee budget and refer
it to the budget subcommittee for further review. >> So second >> motion made by Mr. Mo, second by Mr. Discussion on that. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> I
>> I motion passes 5 to two. Um and just a note that is accepting the Mr. P's budget as the school committee budget. It will go to subcommittee for multiple subcommittee review and feedback discussions. It will then go to
school committee again for all of your feedback, questions, comments at the end of February. Um more budget subcommittees and then the public hearing for feedback from the public. So this budget is not what it may be in
March. just a point of information by the end of the week for the community to be able to access the website. We'll also be sending out to all our stakeholders and sharing social as well. >> Next, we have a motion to approve the
general ledger dated December 24th, 2025, 8th 26 and January 22nd 2026 motion made by second by Mib. >> All those in favor
and we have one extension. Next we have the Bridgewater Ringham Regional High School Sport Watson. Madam chair, members of the school committee, superintendent powers. Um, I'm here tonight with one uh simple swap
for our course selection booklet for next year. We are looking to eliminate our journalism and media studies class. It's primarily due to a lack of enrollment or student interest. We're seeking to replace it with a new class called Everyday Ethics, which is a writing class focused on self-discovery.
Um, any other changes? That's just >> No, we're pretty grounded in reality. So, >> no, this is not on you. This is the school district. Generally, every year you have multiple additions, multiple um new classes that the kids are excited
about. So, again, another point of our budget. >> I was going to start by saying this is usually one of my favorite presentations because I'm always excited about voice changes, but um >> I am usually as well. >> I know. >> I I feel your pain. Um as a current high school mom and incoming high school mom
this year, um I will entertain a motion to accept the change to the high school course booklet for the fiscal year 26 27 school year. >> Motion made by Mr. Lo, second by Mrs. Thomas. Any discussion, questions? All
those in favor? >> Thank you, Mr. Um, other business, I do have one other business to note. Um, unfortunately, Mrs. Davenport was not able to be here this evening. She does have some family matters that may cause her to be
unavailable for future upcoming meetings. I did have a discussion with her and to relieve some of the stress at this time um and ensure we have sufficient members for a qu for quorum on our upcoming budget subcommittee meetings. I am hereby appointing as chair of the school committee. I am
appointing Miss Andy Boy Thomas to budget subcommittee in her place. Um I thank Mrs. Davenport um for serving on budget subcommittee over the past two years and to Missy Thomas for stepping up and taking this on. I know Miss Koi Thomas has been attending our budget
upcoming meetings um as a me as a member of the public. So I know she will able to be seamlessly jump right into the middle of our budget discussions at this time. So thank you very much for agreeing to do that. I appreciate you all. Um and we have our second public comment
um time. Um again the super committee welcomes information, concerns and opinions from those attending our meeting in order to give those wishing to of compiances of the meeting law and other legal obligations and avoid disruption at the meeting. The committee will now engage with the speaker or one
another in deliberation on comments as they are represented as they are presented during comment periods. The chair will now open up public comment for a period of 12 minutes per policy and would ask anyone who wishes to speak please approach the podium, state your name and address and please limit your
comments to under three minutes. Do we have any members that would like to come speak for our second John, faculty member of the Bridgewater Regional School District. This budget does not ensure positive outcomes for students.
This budget does not ensure positive outcomes for students. I've never heard a superintendent in my 25 plus years in this district say that. But I want to piggyback on what Mr. Lo said about special education in those 10
positions. I have worked with either partial inclusion or full-time includ full-time inclusion students in this district and the numbers of those students in a general education classroom are going up and Mr. Congress alluded to that 10
years ago. We now have more students, less staff, higher needs of students. More students, less staff. The needs of our students are higher. 10 years ago, 15% students with disabilities. Today,
20%. What does that look like in a classroom? You're generally talking of almost 50% of the students in the general education classroom are students with special needs. >> Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you. Leslie 121 Cardinal Circle. I'm going to try to talk on 2.0 speed. Um, okay. I ended at the least I can do is contribute a little more. So that's basically after that presentation. I guess that is
what I have to push for. Uh, last year I pushed for a huge override and what I heard from the community was the feedback I got. We don't trust that the money is being spent wisely. And secondly, it was too much to ask for at once. So, let's talk about that. They're doing that Collins. I can't wait to hear
about that. If something is to be found, let it come to light so we can put that out there for people. Um, okay, that's done. Now, for the second, let's meet the community where they are. They don't want a massive override.
We're asking for strategic plans. Not a Not a 1 to 3% increase that barely keeps the light on, but not a 17% all at once. Instead, small intentional increases yearbyear with transparency. I don't know. I have no idea how that works. And
if I even put an idea out, I feel like I'm not I I don't have the expertise to put that out. So, I'm scrapping what I say about that. But, we need to build trust with the community. I feel that um there's a whole part of this community we are missing. the quiet families, the ones
who don't show up to meetings, who don't write emails, who aren't on PTO's. They care deeply, but they don't feel invited, heard, or safe speaking up. We need to find them. Thank you, Cleone, for pointing that out. We need to reach them. We need to ask them what's missing because this will only work if it
belongs to all of us. If we want better schools, we have to show up. I'm talking to the parents, the stakeholders, the caregivers. Volunteer in classrooms. If you can see what 3 to third graders looks like, feels like, sounds like. Email
administrators with real questions and real concerns. Ask for transparency. Ask for accountability. Not from a place of accusation, but from a place of care. Our schools belong to the community. And engagement is not criticism. It's commitment. When families are present, informed, and involved, systems get
stronger, and kids do better. The taxpayers have to put the pressure on the council and the select board. We have to more money, the parents and the caregivers. I thought when I was coming in here, I I was talking to you and the select board and the council
members, but no, I'm talking to the taxpayers, the people who live here. We have to we have to give more. Thank you. >> Thank you. 76 and I'm a counselor at large
and what I wanted to say is there are a lot of grants which are available. And last night it was pointed out that we don't really have a grant writing staff in our town because we are short
changed. I volunteered as one person to be on a grant writing team. Now I know that there is for example a grant uh for farm to food and that's for
500,000 and that replace the food budget. So, I think we the school committee needs to address the grant situation. I think the town needs to set up a grant writing team
so that we can get all the opportunities we can. Another thing is, and this is not going to be positive news, but a constituent told me
who is a senior teacher that not all the teachers teach five classes a day. I don't know if that's true, but that's what the constituent told me. I would hope that you would look into that
and see that we can comply with contractual arrangements. Um, obviously that puts even more burden on the teachers. Harder to teach five classes than three classes. But I'm bringing that up because a
constituent brought it up to me. So that's all. But anyway, let's be positive. Let's get a grant writing team for the school. Seeing no other um members of the public, I'm going to close public comment at 9:08.
Um I have a few announcements and adjournments. I'm sorry. Before we uh policy has a meeting on January 12th at 5:00 p.m. in the superintendent's conference room. We have budget subcommittee meetings on February 9th at 5:30 in the superintendent's conference
room. February 23rd at 5 p.m. in the superintendent conference room. Um, and our next regular scheduled school committee meeting is Wednesday, February 25th at 7 p.m. here in the high school
lecture hall. Do we have any other announcements? Um, I do have one other thing. Um, I would like to um let everyone know and face that Mr. Robert Blakeley um, former principal of the Williams Middle School
and superintendent of the Bridgewater public schools and the first regionalized school was the assistant superintendent of business to the regionalized school district passed away in January.
So may he rest in peace and send prayers to his family. I'd like to have a brief moment of silence for him. >> Thank you. Um that concludes our regularly schedu