Members of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee spent substantial time on March 20 discussing a request from town finance committees and select boards to use district reserves (Earnings and Deficits, E&D) and projected fee revenue to lower town assessments for FY 2026. Committee members expressed concern about the towns fiscal pressures and the districts own reserve levels.

District staff and the committee discussed specific figures offered during the meeting. A district finance presenter said using an additional $187,500 from E&D would lower Wilbrahams assessment by about $149,093 and Hamdens by about $37,000; adding a projected $25,000 in fee revenue would increase the total reduction to about $212,500 across both towns. Committee members raised trade-offs: using more E&D reduces the districts contingency carrying into the next budget cycle and could increase near-term risk for unexpected costs.

Committee members disagreed on whether the committee could properly make a changes to the voted budget at that meeting given meeting-notice and quorum considerations. Several members urged caution because the district has already applied a large amount of E&D to the current budget and cannot assume similar funds will be available next year. Others argued the district has a responsibility to help the towns given the municipal budget strain and urged a prompt decision.

The committee decided not to unilaterally change the assessment letters as written that day. Instead, members directed staff to send the statutory notices required by the regional agreement but include a cover note that the committee is continuing discussions and may submit a revised calculation later. The committee also agreed to invite the Wilbraham and Hamden finance/advisory committees (FinCom/advisory) to meet with the school committee at the next scheduled meeting (April 3) to consider a joint deliberation before warrants are finalized. The committee chair and treasurer will finalize the certified assessment communication; staff noted some clerical edits required on the draft letter (fax number and certified-mail language).

Public comment at the meeting included residents who urged collaboration and constructive problem-solving between the district and town budget bodies. Committee members asked staff for clearer, line-item options that would allow the committee to evaluate trade-offs before making any final decision on E&D use or budget reductions.