Dear Winchendon Staff and Community Members,
During the May 20, 2024 Town Meeting, attendees voted not to approve the FY2025 school department budget request of $17,432,926 for the Winchendon Public Schools. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 70 Section 6, each municipality must annually appropriate for the support of public schools in the municipality an amount not less than the net school spending requirement. If there is no school district budget passed before June 30, 2024, the Winchendon Public Schools will have no funds to operate as of July 1, 2024, and will be forced to close until a school district budget is approved by Town Meeting. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been notified of the district status with the current no vote on a school budget.
The School Committee, Superintendent, and Business Manager, are working with the Town to schedule the necessary meetings and a Special Town Meeting to bring forth a school district budget for another vote. There are School Committee meetings scheduled for tomorrow May 23, June 6 and June 20, 2024. Other meetings such as the Special Town meeting will be scheduled, and these dates will be shared once confirmed.
This is certainly an unprecedented time for the Winchendon Public Schools.
It is our hope that the community votes to support the bottom line budget of $17,432,926 for the Winchendon Public School district at an upcoming Special Town Meeting. Should the Town not vote to support a school district budget, the Town risks the non-approval of its tax rate, an enforcement action by the Attorney General, and the loss of the Town’s state aid.
Unfortunately, given the results of the May 20 Town Meeting, the district has been advised by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and legal counsel to plan as if there will be no school budget as of July 1, 2024; therefore, the following steps must be taken:
Layoff notices must be provided to all employees.
The district must hold on scheduling all school sponsored summer programming.
The district must freeze all hiring.
We know that our community values education, and we hope the attached fact sheet helps further explain how the proposed budget is one that is fiscally responsible to meet the Town’s limited financial ability to fund the school district.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ruthann Petruno-Goguen, Interim Superintendent
Attachment: Budget Fact Sheet