The Hampden‑Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee voted to adopt a $57,289,029 operating budget for fiscal year 2026 and approved a separate $459,000 regional capital package at a public hearing on the proposed FY26 budget.

The operating budget motion — described by administrators as a “level services” request that includes a $1,900,275 debt-service payment for regional high school bonds — passed 6–1 after public comment and committee discussion. The capital package, which removes replacement of the stadium seating for consideration at a later town meeting, passed 7–0. Committee members also approved a revised capital plan and a set of increases to student athletic participation fees; the fee changes passed 7–0 and include exemptions for families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.

Administrators said the adopted operating figure reflects updated cost information received since an earlier draft: a retirement assessment that came in higher than expected, finalized health insurance increases that were lower than first estimated, and refined transportation pricing provided by the district’s Lower Pioneer Valley partner. “Our labor costs — wages and benefits — are about 75% of our expenses,” Superintendent Doug Slaughter said during his presentation, explaining why staff-related costs dominate the budget. He and other administrators highlighted that collective-bargaining outcomes remain unsettled and therefore create upward risk in labor cost projections.

Deputy or district administrators presented state and federal funding context. “In 2023 we were fourth from the bottom in terms of educational spending, but third from the top in terms of performance,” Dr. Provost said, noting the district spent about $3,009 less per pupil than the statewide average while scoring in the top 30% of high schools statewide. Administrators and several public speakers urged advocacy to state legislators and the governor’s office for changes to Chapter 70, circuit-breaker special-education reimbursements and regional transportation funding to reduce future local tax pressure.

Public comment focused heavily on preserving arts, music, drama and other extracurricular programs amid possible cuts. Genevieve Rose, an elementary band and orchestra teacher, warned that cutting elementary band could “deprive students of valuable educational experiences” and detailed cognitive, social and emotional benefits of early music instruction. Parents and community members described band, chorus and drama as important for student engagement, attendance and social connection; multiple speakers said they would work with town officials and state representatives to press for additional funding.

A committee member proposed an amendment to reduce the towns’ assessed contribution by moving $150,000 from the district’s E&D (excess and deficiency or “free cash”) for Wilbraham and $30,000 for Hamden to lower the local ask. The amendment was debated in committee — proponents said it would help win town support without cutting programs; opponents said it risked creating a shortfall if final state or federal funding changed or if contract settlements increased labor costs. That motion failed 6–1.

Specific items and votes recorded at the meeting include:
- Operating budget: motion to adopt an operating budget of $57,289,029, inclusive of a $1,900,275 debt-service payment for the regional high school; assessed to member towns as presented. Vote: 6–1, motion passed.
- Capital budget: motion to adopt a regional capital budget of $459,000 (regional assessment Hamden $89,592; Wilbraham $369,408). Vote: 7–0, motion passed. The committee removed replacement of the stadium bleachers from the spring capital ask and deferred that project for fall consideration to allow additional fundraising or bidding time.
- Revised capital plan: committee voted to adopt revised town-specific capital lists (motion passed 7–0).
- Student athletic fees: committee approved a schedule of fee increases (average increase ~13% overall, individual sport increases varied); fees remain exempted for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Vote: 7–0.

Administrators and several committee members emphasized continuing uncertainty. The superintendent’s memo distributed with the budget noted the governor’s proposed increase to Chapter 70 aid is historically large but still “falls far short” of covering rising costs; district staff project a net reduction in federal funding and listed a range of “prudential reductions” should a gap emerge. Administrators also described successful refinements that reduced some capital costs (for example, lower-than-projected quotes for network switches and access points) and identified potential non-tax funding sources — notably Community Preservation Act (CPA) support for an ADA playground improvement and possible e-rate funding for technology equipment.

Committee members and community advocates urged a coordinated push to state lawmakers for changes that would materially help the district: higher circuit-breaker reimbursement for special education, increased regional transportation reimbursement, and updates to the Chapter 70 formula. “There are bills right now that would address Chapter 70, the circuit breaker and regional transportation,” Christine Goonan, vice president of the HWEA and a local union organizer, said, urging residents to contact legislators and to appear at an upcoming House Ways and Means meeting near UMass to make the district’s case.

The committee closed the public hearing and then recessed into an executive session dealing with collective bargaining and confidential personnel matters; the meeting did not return to open session. Next formal steps outlined by administrators include town meetings in Hamden and Wilbraham where local appropriations are voted and continued outreach to state legislators on the funding items discussed.