Regional School District 15 board approves modified 2026–27 budget after debate over social‑worker post and gate fees

Regional School District 15’s Board of Education voted to approve a modified 2026–27 school budget after a lengthy discussion about staffing and revenue treatment.

Tom Marks moved that the board approve “the 2026 to 2027 budget increase of $4,861,696, which represents a 5.18% increase,” and Heather Rogers seconded the motion. After discussion and a roll‑call vote, the motion carried; board minutes from the meeting record Shannon Kavalo voting no.

The meeting record shows two budget figures discussed by district administrators: a superintendent‑proposed total that was described in materials as a 5.48% increase when revenue is included, and the modified figure read at the meeting that removes one proposed social‑worker position and restores $50,000 in gate‑fee revenue, which the board heard as a 5.18% increase and the $4,861,696 dollar amount. Josh (district finance staff) explained the difference as a net vs. gross presentation used for the towns’ referendum materials.

A central issue in the debate was whether to add a certified social‑worker position. Board members asked for clarity about the position’s scope, the fraction of FTE being proposed, and the way benefits and other costs would be accounted for. District staff said the line‑item cited in the superintendent’s proposed budget budgeted a 1.0 FTE in the certified salary account but that the modification would not add that social‑worker FTE; instead, some duties would be reallocated to existing staff or filled with temporary retirees used earlier in the year.

“[Removing the position] will require us to reallocate some of that work to other staff in the district,” district staff said, describing the likely approach. Board members pressed for a broader, systemwide review of mental‑health staffing before adding permanent positions, and one member asked that the mental‑health staffing presentation they requested in prior years be scheduled.

Board members also raised concerns about the district’s reserve levels after an unexpected mechanical failure that carried an estimated recent cost near $500,000. Several trustees said they supported the budget as a compromise while seeking future work on reserves and fee structures.

On gate fees, the board heard that restoring $50,000 as revenue in the modified budget changes how the percent increase is calculated for property‑tax obligations submitted to the towns. Finance committee work was scheduled to continue on gate‑fee policy to avoid any sudden large family‑burden shifts.

The board approved the modified budget at the meeting and directed staff to proceed with the paperwork for the referendum based on the figure presented. The board did not vote on adding the social‑worker position; members said they would revisit staffing decisions in future budget cycles or presentations.

Next steps: the administration will submit the referendum figure to the towns as required, and finance‑committee work on fee policy and mental‑health staffing review were identified as follow‑up items.