Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee Certifies $98.6 Million Budget
Six-member majority backs reduced spending plan that preserves some teaching positions but eliminates high school electives and increases class sizes significantly.
RAYNHAM - June 26 - The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee voted 6-2 Thursday night to approve a $98.6 million operating budget for fiscal year 2026, marking a substantial reduction from the district's original $109 million proposal after voters rejected override attempts in both towns.
The approved budget, dubbed "post-election option one," represents a compromise that aims to preserve 21 teaching positions that would have been eliminated under the towns' funded $91.4 million spending plan. However, the reduced funding still forces significant cuts to programming, particularly at the high school level where up to 40 electives face elimination.
Committee members Jessica Davenport and Timothy Fitzgibbons supported the motion, with Davenport stating she wanted to "honor the voter's decision" from the failed override elections. The measure passed with support from Chair Rachel King and members Cleonie Mainvielle, Laura Conrad-Laberinto, and Dan Gouthro, while Andi Hoy Thomas and Michael Losche voted against it.
"This isn't going to meet students' needs. It's going to widen the gap and create an even larger issue," said Losche, who argued the cuts would disproportionately impact the district's most vulnerable students.
The approved budget requires Bridgewater to contribute $35.5 million and Raynham to pay $22.3 million, representing increases of approximately 8.7 percent and 6.8 percent respectively over current funding levels. These amounts exceed what both towns initially approved at their local meetings in May.
Superintendent Ryan Powers explained that the budget preserves current staffing levels by avoiding the massive layoffs that would occur under the towns' approved spending plan. "We believe at this time that post-election option two would not do that," Powers said, referring to maintaining current employees while acknowledging an $800,000 shortfall that would require cuts to goods and services.
The district faces significant operational challenges under the approved budget. Class sizes are projected to range from 26-32 students at the elementary level and 25-35 at middle school, with high school classes potentially reaching 29-43 students. Powers warned that the high school would lose most of its elective offerings while maintaining core academic requirements.
Eric Hoy, a high school English teacher, raised safety concerns during public comment about the impact of reduced staffing. "My concern is when we hit winter and we're in a situation where the flu arrives and it wipes out a number of staff members," Hoy said, questioning how the building would maintain security with fewer available substitutes for large classes.
The budget approval came after months of contentious debate. Mainvielle acknowledged the district's communication failures, stating, "Too often, we mistake activity for progress. We check boxes, post a meeting, post an agenda, and tell ourselves we've done the job."
She called for a forensic audit of the district's financial practices and emphasized the need for better collaboration between the school committee and town officials. "This must be a turning point for us," Mainvielle said.
The committee also approved $1.7 million in capital expenses and $4.8 million for debt service, though the capital vote initially failed before being reconsidered. Powers warned that without capital funding, the district would struggle to maintain buildings and equipment, potentially facing heating system failures and grounds maintenance issues.
The approved budget now goes to both towns for final approval within 45 days. If either town rejects the proposal, the district would operate under a one-twelfth budget based on the previous year's spending, which Powers indicated would result in even deeper cuts than the towns' preferred option.
Fitzgibbons emphasized the urgency of town approval, noting that operating under a one-twelfth budget beyond November 30 would transfer budget control to the state. "That's not a position I want to be in," he said.
The district already faces uncertainty as it prepares for a potential one-twelfth budget scenario at the start of the school year, given the timeline for town approvals. Powers confirmed he has been in contact with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education about contingency planning.
King acknowledged the difficult position facing all committee members, noting that several have children who would be directly affected by the cuts. "Sometimes what I have to vote is not in the best interest of my own kids," she said, referencing her rising senior who would lose access to Advanced Placement classes under the reduced budget.
Conrad-Laberinto emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration, requesting regular joint meetings between the school committee and both towns to prevent future budget crises. "We commit to having, whether it's once every other month, meetings with both towns so we are not in a place like this," she said.
The committee scheduled its next budget subcommittee meeting for July 7 and its regular meeting for July 23, when members expect to receive updates on the towns' responses to the approved budget.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Bridgewater Raynham Regional School District.
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