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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – Business Manager Gary Suter told the Spencer-East Brookfield School Committee earlier this month about shortfalls in the current budget, saying he hoped the situation would improve before the fiscal year ends on June 30.
“We’re seeing some problems in this budget,” he said.
Although the committee approved $186,751 in transfers to cover some line items, Suter said more time was needed to look at others. The business manager said he hesitated to make additional transfers at this point because there are not a lot of surpluses in line items.
He referred to a $575,000 deficit, noting the district may have to use E & D (Excess & Deficiency) funds to make ends meet.
Suter also said they are tracking an additional $300,000 shortfall in special education out-of-district private tuitions as well as $123,000 for foster care transportation and $120,000 for electricity at the high school to get to the end of the year.
“I’m concerned, but we are tracking it and hopeful some of this may change,” Suter told the committee.
District receives waiver to reduce instructional year
In his superintendent’s report, Paul Haughey noted that high school seniors are on track to graduate on May 28 at Polar Park.
Superintendent Paul Haughey announced on March 30 that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) officially granted a waiver to the school district regarding the 180-day school year requirement.
In a letter dated March 27, Commissioner of Education Pedro Martinez (acting on behalf of the department) approved the district’s request to reduce the instructional year by three days for the 2025-2026 calendar year.
The waiver was requested following the emergency cancellation of classes at David Prouty High School because of a burst pipe in late December of 2025.
As a result of the approval, the instructional requirement for the current school year is adjusted to 177 days.
The final day of school for DPHS is now scheduled for June 18.
“We appreciate the Commissioner’s understanding of the unique challenges posed by this facility emergency,” said Superintendent Haughey. “This waiver allows our district to maintain a firm closing date for the year while ensuring we continue to provide a high-quality educational experience for our students.”
If the waiver had not been granted, DPHS students would have had to make up the lost time and finish the school year on June 24.
At the School Committee meeting, Haughey acknowledged it has been a rough winter in terms of school cancellations and dismissals, adding he appreciated the cooperation of the community at large.
The superintendent also outlined current enrollment at 1,487. Of that total, 323 students attend David Prouty High School; 408 are at Knox Trail Middle School; 465 children attend Wire Village School; and East Brookfield Elementary School has an enrollment of 271 students, with 118 at Cub’s Corner preschool.
Haughey encouraged parents interested in having their children attend preschool to register to get their names on a waiting list. Kindergarten registration is also open.
The superintendent praised students for their athletic, academic and musical accomplishments this month.
“Our students have truly shined, whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the athletic fields or in Boston at the indoor track facility,” Haughey said.