School committee certifies FY25 operating budget and assessments amid revenue shortfalls

The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee completed certification of the FY25 operating budget March 7 after a detailed presentation of revenue drivers, enrollment and cost pressures.

Presenters tied the budget to district strategic goals and reported an enrollment snapshot of roughly 1,513 students. They highlighted major cost drivers including a 7.5% increase in health insurance, higher special‑education and collaborative tuition, facilities needs and contractual obligations. The presentation framed the situation as a revenue shortfall: presenters said the district ‘‘doesn’t have a budget problem; we have a revenue problem’’ and outlined proposed reductions and offsets totaling roughly $2.5 million (staff reductions of about $1.5 million and $1 million in supplies/materials) that produced an FY25 draft operating budget around $27.8 million and a total budget near $29.8 million when sending tuitions are included.

The packet showed how assessments will be split between the towns under state formulas and minimum local contribution rules; Blackstone’s share was presented at roughly 74.3% of the assessment and Milville’s share at about 25.7%. Peter Caruso, Milville town administrator, told the committee he had presented the district ask to Milville’s board and finance committee and cautioned that, under local guidance assumptions, Milville faced a preliminary deficit scenario requiring further work with town finance bodies.

The committee moved, discussed and unanimously approved the FY25 operating budget as presented, then proceeded through the line‑item certification motions (reimbursements, offsets and capital figures). All certification motions and assessments to the two towns were passed by roll call without recorded negative votes. Committee members said the certified numbers set a ceiling that can be lowered but not increased without recertification if additional revenue is found.

Next steps include distributing the FY25 budget book once certified, meeting with town finance committees and select boards, and continuing to monitor state and federal revenue changes that could alter assessments or permit restoring positions such as additional nursing staff.