TOWNSEND – The North Middlesex Regional School Committee and Superintendent Brad Morgan announce that a calculator has been added to the District’s official budget website, which will allow residents to determine the impact of a proposed Proposition 2 1/2 budget override in their community.
The North Middlesex Regional School Committee has adopted a FY25 budget that requests a 6.27 percent increase over FY24 to maintain current offerings to students. The District has averaged a 2.89 percent increase per year for the past five years.
The FY25 budget was developed by the administration and staff to reflect the District’s core values of meeting the educational, social and emotional needs of all students in a safe and welcoming environment. In the coming year, many of the District’s major budget drivers are expected to rise significantly:
- Collective Bargaining Agreements (9.9 percent)
- Health Insurance (6.4 percent)
- Out-of-District Special Education Tuitions (6.1 percent)
- Special Education Transportation (4.8 percent)
- Yellow Bus Transportation (14.8 percent)
Pepperell and Townsend are requesting voters approve a Proposition 2 1/2 override for the proposed increased District assessment in FY25. Pepperell is seeking an override of $2,991,136, of which North Middlesex’s share is $1,892,884. Townsend is seeking an override of $1,461,294 devoted to the North Middlesex budget. Ashby has not decided whether to request a Proposition 2 ½ override. The budget calculator will be updated once that decision is made.
Override requests must be approved by both Town Meeting and at the ballot. If two communities approve the FY2025 NMRSD Assessment, the budget is considered passed and all three towns would need to appropriate their assessment amount.
Without this increase, NMRSD projects having to reduce its budget by $3 million by:
- Eliminating 30-32 staff positions, resulting in K-8 class sizes of 27 to 32
- Eliminating all after-school programming: athletics, band, clubs, etc.
The calculator will allow residents to assess the monthly and yearly impact of the override, based on the community they live in and the assessed value of their property.
Pepperell Special Town Meeting convenes on Monday, April 8, at 7 p.m., in Nissitissit Middle School Auditorium, 33 Chace Ave. A referendum will appear on the Town Election ballot on Monday, April 22.
Townsend voters approved the override request at Special Town Meeting on March 19. A referendum will appear on the Town Election ballot on Monday, April 22.
To learn more about the North Middlesex budget, view documents and presentations, or ask a question, click here.