West Bridgewater School Committee Delays FY26 Budget Vote to March 13

WEST BRIDGEWATER -- March 3, 2025, West Bridgewater School Committee defers $962,000 budget vote pending teacher contract talks. The committee voted 5-0 at its March 3 meeting to postpone adoption of the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, which carries a proposed $962,172 increase, or 5.47 percent, over the current year, to a special meeting on March 13, citing unfinished negotiations with the West Bridgewater Education Association. Chair Robin Dragonetti said a weather-related cancellation had prevented the committee from reaching agreement with the union before budget season. Superintendent Kathy Rodwell identified four cost drivers: teacher salary adjustments, a $324,000 surge in agricultural school tuitions and transportation representing a 193 percent increase over last year, a $100,000 school choice revenue shortfall, and miscellaneous net increases. The district is budgeting for 15 students at Norfolk and Bristol agricultural schools next year, up from six currently, as 10 eighth-graders submitted new applications with enrollment decisions due by April 1.