Blackstone‑Millville leaders outline FY24 budget priorities, warn one‑time offsets are gone

Superintendent Jason DeFalco said the district will enter FY24 with narrower options after relying on one‑time offsets last year, and urged the committee and towns to plan for increases driven by state mandates and contract costs. "We will not be able to do that again," DeFalco said, explaining how state formulas and required payments constrain local budgeting.

The nut graf: The committee heard that state 'minimum local contribution' increases (Blackstone ~6.3%, Millville ~6.2%) and a 0.44 increase in Chapter 70 revenue (about $30 per student) do not offset other rising costs. DeFalco highlighted major drivers: a state‑mandated 14% increase to private special‑education tuition, a 10% increase in the Bi‑County collaborative tuition, higher transportation and health‑insurance costs, and expiring grant offsets that kept last year’s town assessments lower.

DeFalco framed FY24 planning around a student population of roughly 1,500 and a high‑needs share above 50 percent. He said the district performed a line‑by‑line review last cycle — including using grant revenues as offsets — but warned many of those grant offsets are ending. "We don't have that to do that again," he said, adding that the district used circuit‑breaker money, E&D and SR grants aggressively in FY23. Committee members and the superintendent noted that individual out‑of‑district placements can cost tens of thousands of dollars: an example cited in discussion was about $40,000 for an intense special‑education placement.

DeFalco also reviewed uncontrollable cost items: the state sets minimum local contributions for the towns; transportation contracts and private‑placement tuition increases are mandated; utilities and contractual salary obligations leave limited local flexibility. Committee member Tammy Lemieux asked for clarity on the private‑school tuition increase and collaborative costs; DeFalco and staff confirmed those percentages and described efforts to negotiate insurance and energy contracts and to join purchasing collaboratives where possible.

The committee set the budget process calendar: a draft presentation at the Jan. 12 meeting, workshops on Jan. 17 and Jan. 26 (Jan. 31 held if needed), a proposed joint meeting with town officials the week of Feb. 13, a public hearing on March 9, and work on the budget book starting March 13.

Votes at a glance: the committee enacted several routine items earlier in the meeting. Recorded formal approvals included unanimous votes to approve the consent agenda (minutes/warrants), adoption of Policy Manual Section C as presented, acceptance of CPAC donations (see separate motions), approval of the student council MASC trip, and a facilities use request for a Knights of Columbus free‑throw event.

What’s next: The committee will receive a full FY24 draft at the Jan. 12 meeting and then move into workshops and a joint town hearing before the March public hearing. Staff were asked to provide line‑by‑line, color‑coded budget materials showing new, removed and changed items to support those workshops.

Ending: The committee will reconvene on Jan. 12 to review draft numbers and continue the budget workshops into February ahead of the March 9 public hearing.