West Bridgewater School Committee Defers Vote on $22.5 Million FY27 Budget

WEST BRIDGEWATER -- March 2, 2026, West Bridgewater School Committee defers vote on a $22.5 million FY27 operating budget, citing need for staffing data. Superintendent Scott Bodwell and Business Manager Karen Grant presented the full proposed budget at the March 2 public hearing, requesting a net town appropriation increase of $916,949, or 4.93 percent, after subtracting roughly $3 million in school contributions from revolving accounts, school choice revenue, and grants. Member John Waller challenged the district's claim that no positions were added in the prior year's budget, noting that budgeted FTEs appear to have grown from 167 in FY21 to 190.25 in the proposed FY27 plan, roughly 14 percent over five years. "I'm not going to support any budget that adds more staff without some data behind it," Waller said. Five new positions are proposed for FY27, including a media specialist, a 0.5 floating nurse, and a 0.6 Howard School reading specialist. Bodwell also presented a capital improvement plan prioritizing security at aging elementary schools, including sallyport vestibule systems quoted at $99,000 for Roselle McDonald and $56,000 for Spring Street, new intercom and lockdown controls, and fire alarm panel replacements estimated at $84,500 per school. A 5 percent athletic fee increase, from $300 to $315 per student, is also under consideration. The committee votes on the budget at its March 9 meeting.