The Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee meeting on March 26, 2025, focused on the ongoing budget process for the upcoming fiscal year. The committee discussed the development of a budget that initially totaled $49,135,217, which included a 3% salary increase for teachers, paraprofessionals, and secretaries. This budget was presented to the school committee on February 5, following a series of meetings with school directors and principals aimed at identifying potential savings.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the town's finance committee indicated that the proposed budget could not be supported by the towns. In response, the administration identified an additional $500,000 in savings, primarily due to updated salary information and lower-than-expected health insurance premiums. However, further discussions with the towns necessitated additional budget reductions, leading to the consideration of staff reductions due to declining enrollment.

Two budget proposals were presented: the first draft at $47,575,033 and a recommended budget of $47,975,033, which includes a $400,000 placeholder from the school choice fund. This recommendation aims to provide flexibility in case additional state funding becomes available before the final budget vote in April.

The committee also reviewed specific budget adjustments across various schools, including the addition of a float nurse position and changes in funding for special education services. The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on the budget details, emphasizing the importance of aligning resources to support educational services while managing financial constraints.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the challenges faced by the school district in balancing budgetary needs with available funding, as well as the ongoing efforts to ensure that educational services remain a priority amidst financial limitations.