Southbridge Schools' $40.3 Million FY2027 Budget Advances to Town Council Unanimously

SOUTHBRIDGE — April 22, 2026 — Southbridge subcommittee unanimously backs $40.3 million school budget that closes a nearly $2 million structural gap. The joint Education and Human Services Subcommittee voted 4-0 Wednesday to forward the fiscal year 2027 Southbridge School Department budget of $40,304,792 to the full Town Council, after Superintendent Bill Metzger and Finance Director Matt detailed a spending plan that eliminates eight administrative positions, one teaching post, and nine support staff to bring revenues and expenditures into balance. The town's required contribution rises to roughly $10.6 million — about $500,000 more than the current year — while grant funding falls an estimated $1.2 million and out-of-district special education placements have surged 37 percent in a single year, adding $1.5 million in costs. Metzger warned the subcommittee that the expiration of Student Opportunity Act supplemental funding after fiscal year 2027 will likely create "another challenging year" and called on the community to begin conversations about its desired level of school funding. The subcommittee also recommended approval of a separate $7,500 United Way summer youth programming grant.