Sturbridge School Committee sends $14.5 million budget to March hearing

School Committee · Meeting of February 5, 2026

Sturbridge School Committee unanimously advances a $14,500,650 fiscal 2027 budget, a 3.4 percent hike, to a March 5 public hearing. The superintendent said Governor Healey's initial budget adds only about $75 per student in Chapter 70 aid, roughly $63,000 to $64,000 total, against a $441,000 spending increase, meaning "it's going to fall on what is their ability to raise" for the town, which is near its levy limit. Staff also reported a Title I shortfall: the district budgeted $68,931 based on prior-year funding but received just $33,107, a gap of $35,822 tied to a $150,000 teacher salary line transfer approved in November.

Principal Hill highlighted midyear STAR, ACCESS and DIBELS testing completion and a PTO bingo night. A subcommittee tabled a decision on the recreation department's request to use school land, saying "who are we to say yes or no until we know how the town feels."

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Source: the School Committee meeting of February 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.