The Rochester School Committee’s Budget Subcommittee met on Thursday, February 12 in the Superintendent’s Conference Room, 135 Marion Road, and via Zoom to discuss ongoing budgeting challenges, potential cuts, and planning ahead for Fiscal Year 2027. Many staff in Rochester schools and parents attended the hybrid-style meeting due to widespread talks over the town’s school budget shortfalls, with some expressing worries of position security.
In recent years, most school districts have cut what they deem as non-essential staff, with Rochester School District saying they cut one staff position through attrition. District representatives also stated they have reduced nearly all non-staff spending. At the meeting, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson warned the budget is becoming unsustainable, and keeping services at current levels will become increasingly difficult.
In overlooking FY26 budget numbers, the current school operating budget sits at around $7,350,000, and will continue to rise unless cuts are made. An initial budget increase of 13.2% could be lowered to around 7.3%, should four non-specified teaching positions be cut. Costs for special education were also weighed, although they cannot be altered without going against both state and federal ordinances. The district spends a considerable sum on tuition for some special education students to receive services out of district. The ORR District is incapable of reducing these costs, however.
Town Administrator Cameron Durant explained that Rochester’s budget is also under considerable strain. The town’s largest source of revenue is property taxes, which are limited to a 2.5% annual increase, which Durant noted was due to Proposition 2½, passed in 1981, far under inflation and the general rising cost of goods and services. Overriding the 2.5% limit would be possible through Town Meeting, but it is unlikely to make it on the warrant for the Monday, May 18, Annual Town Meeting. It was also mentioned that housing development would yield more tax revenue.
As has been discussed at other town meetings, the town is exploring alternate options for employee healthcare and pension programs. The town administrator said, “We are estimating a 10.5% increase in health insurance [costs] through Mayflower health group that we are a part of,” which he estimated at an additional $180,000 in required new revenue. Durant also noted shifts in the town population and class sizes, stating there would be 22 fewer students next year.
What does all of this mean for Rochester schools, their staff, and their students? To potentially reduce the proposed budget increase, the district may need to eliminate four teaching positions, which would mean larger class sizes in some grades as well as less support for reading and math intervention. Committee members stressed any proposed cuts are due solely to budgetary constraints.
Administrators stressed there is still much to plan for and much to review. A joint meeting with the Select Board is to be scheduled, as well as a Budget Hearing on Wednesday, March 25.
Rochester School Budget Subcommittee
By Sam Bishop