Spencer East Brookfield School Committee Approves $597,740 to Stabilize FY26 Budget

SPENCER — April 15, 2026 — Spencer East Brookfield School Committee approves nearly $598,000 in transfers and reserve spending to close FY26 budget gaps. The committee voted unanimously at its April 15 meeting to approve $297,102 in line-item transfers and authorize $300,638 from excess-and-deficiency funds, with the largest single draw — $136,000 — covering unanticipated electricity costs at the new David Prouty High School, followed by $62,000 for a 66-percent spike in retiree health insurance. Business Administrator Gary Souter said the moves together "will fix the fiscal 26 budget going forward" but warned the district will enter FY27 with reduced circuit-breaker reserves. Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Hyde reported the district will have only two instructional coaches in the fall — down from a planned four — after more than $1 million in cuts to the FY27 budget, and cautioned that Title I interventionist positions will fall from 10 to as few as two or three. Departing Spencer Select Board member Dr. Richard Hicks urged committee members to campaign publicly for a May 12 Proposition 2½ override, noting the district's tax rate of $10.98 per thousand dollars and a 14-cent-per-thousand proposed increase.