Spencer... the other town that was nuked by its regional school district

Gaudette predicts another budget deficit in Spencer
By Kim Ring CORRESPONDENT
kim.ring@telegram.com

SPENCER — The cost to fund education next year will again put the town in a deficit, Town Administrator Adam D. Gaudette told the Board of Selectmen Monday night.

The initial budget for the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District is 13.5 percent higher than this year, when the taxpayers had to use free cash, which is unexpended funds in the treasury, to balance the budget.

The increase has some selectmen questioning how the budget can increase so significantly when the state estimates the district will serve 83 fewer students next year.

"They're headed in one direction with enrollment and another direction with costs," Selectman John F. Stevens said.

Coupled with the town's Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School expenses rising over 27 percent, Spencer is already facing a nearly $1 million deficit, Mr. Gaudette said.

He said enrollment of Spencer students at Bay Path is up by 19 pupils.

The school committee is slated to meet Tuesday night, and Mr. Gaudette said he has sent members a copy of his budget presentation hoping they will review it.

"I asked them to take a look at the assessments they provided us," he said.