School committee retools FY27 budget, taps E&D and accepts $625,564 Raynham gift to reduce K-8 class sizes

The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee voted May 20 to reconsider and adopt a revised fiscal year 2027 operating budget that aligns the district's bottom line with figures approved by the two member towns and to use district reserves and a Raynham gift to blunt immediate classroom impacts.

The committee approved a motion by Ms. King to increase an E&D appropriation by $800,000 (bringing the E&D appropriation discussed to $2.8 million) and then voted to adopt a revised FY27 budget of $100,585,484 (excluding debt and capital), a figure Ms. King said reflects Bridgewater's 3.616% assessment and Raynham's 2.199% assessment. The roll-call votes on the motions were recorded as unanimous in favor.

Why it matters: Committee leaders said the changes are aimed at stabilizing staffing and lowering extreme class sizes in Raynham K-8 classrooms, which district officials and town leaders highlighted as reaching unsafe levels in some grades. Superintendent Powers told the committee that the measures provide short-term stabilization while the district continues longer-term budget planning and stakeholder outreach.

What the committee approved and how it will be used: In separate but related votes the committee
- approved increasing the E&D appropriation by $800,000 to supplement the FY27 operating budget, citing conservative underspending in FY26 as the basis for the extra appropriation; and
- accepted a $625,564 gift from the town of Raynham under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 37A. That gift will be deposited into a separate revolving account and is designated to add classroom teachers at K-8 on the Raynham side: "one kindergarten, one fourth grade, two fifth grade, one sixth grade, one seventh grade, and one or more undesignated teachers," the motion specified, with final staffing subject to enrollment changes.

Committee members stressed precautions: Several members, including Mr. Dupont and Ms. King, clarified that positions funded by one-time gifts and reserve transfers will be offered as one-year contracts unless the funds are renewed; the committee also asked the administration to track and report how the revolving-account money is spent so it aligns with the warrant language and town expectations.

Numbers cited at the meeting: Ms. King presented the revised budget totals and apportionments as read into the record: a proposed FY27 operating budget of $100,585,484, expected revenue reductions totaling $38,199,810, and an E&D appropriation reported at $2.8 million; the apportionment due from Raynham was listed at $22,824,683 and Bridgewater at $36,760,991 (figures based on October 1, 2025 enrollments). The Raynham Town Meeting approved a $625,564 gift and a 2.2% assessment increase on May 18, 2026.

Reaction and next steps: Supporters said the infusion will give the district flexibility to address immediate class-size and staffing shortfalls without returning to a 1/12 spending scenario. Some members urged that drawing on E&D and one-time gifts should not replace work to secure a sustainable long-term revenue plan and that next year's assessments and possible override planning remain necessary.

The committee directed staff to verify final figures with the district treasurer and to continue stakeholder outreach; the revised budget and the E&D action were approved by roll-call vote during the May 20 meeting. The committee also approved the debt apportionment for FY27 and other technical matters during the same series of votes.

Actions and legal basis: The committee accepted the Raynham gift under M.G.L. c.71,
6 (Section 37A) and recorded motions to amend E&D and adopt the revised budget. The administration will report back to the committee on how the gift and the E&D funds are allocated.