Wachusett Committee Approves $91.3 Million FY27 Budget

School Board · Meeting of March 9, 2026

RUTLAND — Wachusett schools approve $91.3 million FY27 budget as Rutland's assessment climbs 7.5%. The Wachusett Regional School District Committee voted 14-0 Monday to adopt a $91,293,922 spending plan for fiscal 2027, pushing Rutland's assessment to $18,808,703, up roughly $1.3 million. Superintendent Dr.

Riley said the district's continued "hold harmless" status under the state's Chapter 70 formula limits new state aid to about $490,000 even as the district's own budget grew 4.44 percent, the smallest increase in four years. Riley warned that failed overrides would force deep staffing cuts, saying "to reduce staff is an incredibly inefficient process." The committee kept a $1 million draw from reserves despite Member Gustafson's worries over market volatility, and separately voted to continue high school choice and adopt the 2026-27 calendar.

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Source: the School Board meeting of March 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.