CHESHIRE, Massachusetts – The Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee wants voters to understand what is at stake when they attend a district-wide meeting next month.

The committee unanimously approved a district vote on the 2025 budget on Monday and voted its continued support for the spending plan.

The district meeting is open to all registered voters in the cities of Adams and Cheshire and will be held on Monday, September 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the Hoosac Valley High Auditorium.

The annual town meeting had passed the budget using an exception to Proposition 2 1/2 to cover the $150,000 increase in Cheshire’s tax levy. However, the exception was rejected on the ballot and a subsequent special meeting voted to fund the tax levy in a lump sum.

School officials say a $150,000 reduction in Cheshire’s contributions would mean a total cut of $600,000 because Adams’ contributions would have to be reduced proportionally. A reduction of that magnitude in the fall would impact positions and winter and spring sports.

“What happens if we don’t have a budget? That’s not really clear to anybody,” said committee member Michael Henault. “If that doesn’t happen, I think voters should know what would happen. … I think it’s important for the public to know what’s at stake.”

Superintendent Aaron Dean said the district needs to set priorities in programming, examine revenue sources and determine what is regulated by state law and grants.

“It’s going to be a combination of things … it’s probably going to lead to larger class sizes for some cohorts of students. It’s going to lead to less access to interventions that aren’t mandated, so things that we normally provide in the area of ​​social emotional learning and mental health care are probably going to be affected,” he said. “There are things that are mandated by law, so we would have to put a number of things on the table and look at the least impactful combination of those. …

“We don’t have just one revenue stream. There are about 15 different revenue streams that go into running a school system, you know, and a lot of laws that we have to comply with.”

If the budget vote fails or comes in too low, the district will likely have to consider the possibility of drawing on reserves, he said.

“We’re finally at a point where the systems are in place and we’re going to start seeing results,” Dean continued.

Committee member Fred Lora asked what the committee could do to get the word out, but Vice Chair Erin Milne warned that members could be violating conflict-of-interest laws and recommended anyone with concerns contact the state Ethics Commission’s hotline. Members cannot speak for or against a vote, but they can provide facts, though she noted that’s a fine line.

“You can do things in your personal capacity that you cannot do in school, and you can do things

in school who can’t do that in their personal capacity,” she said. “And that’s just a little bit tricky. So I would recommend everyone to brush up on that.”

This also prompted Milne to move an amendment to the resolution declaring the committee’s continued support for the budget, adding to the motion that the committee would “communicate” the stance of its officials, which would include something like a position paper.

Dean was tasked with compiling facts and figures that could be given home to parents and posted on the district’s website. This would also give committee members the facts to point to when questioned about the budget and potential consequences of failure.

The district is calling for a vote, but it is up to towns to choose a moderator and the town clerk to vet voters. If the budget is approved, Cheshire expects to dip into its reserves to cover the $150,000 shortfall; if that fails, it would go back to the School Committee for further action.

The district is currently operating on a monthly budget based on last year’s spending plan. If an approved budget is not in place by Dec. 1, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will step in.

When asked if the state would cut the 2025 budget, Dean said it would make sense and would be within DESE’s recommended limits. He noted that while Cheshire’s contribution has increased — due to enrollment numbers and its classification as a “wealthier” city — it is just above the minimum contribution.

“It is very likely that DESE would approve the budget as it stands,” he said.

In other business, Milne updated the committee on the district-wide policy review. An outside reviewer has begun work on those documents and the subcommittee is updating graduation requirements to align with the new Pathways program.

• Dean said a leak in the middle school gym was traced to a drain that will be patched. However, he cautioned that the roof is 25 years old and at the end of its life. Patching could buy some time, but the district could consider replacing the roof in the next five years, along with some other investments.

Henault asked if the administration could look into solar grants that would expand the high school’s solar power generation and possibly cover the cost of replacing the roof.

The caretaker said that the automatic heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is now working properly after replacing defective sensors.

• School transportation schedules were released Monday, and the dean said the district is in good shape to have buildings ready for the start of the school year. There are currently three vacancies — one teaching position and two support staff — but the new staff had their orientation on Monday, and he said, “We have an enthusiastic group of people who will be a great addition to the district.”

• The committee also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Town of Cheshire appointing Officer David Tarjick as School Resource Officer. He will work near the front office and his duties will primarily be to serve as a mentor and role model. The committee asked for further discussion on protocols for the SRO and how the position will be evaluated.

Keywords: Fiscal year 2025, HVRSD_Budget,