School Committee adopts $53.3 million fiscal 2027 budget

School Committee · Meeting of March 11, 2026

LAKEVILLE — Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee adopts $53.3 million fiscal 2027 budget as override talk looms. Director of Finance and Operations Jack Higgins told the board the general fund will rise 7.49 percent to $49,542,654, with assessments set at $19,606,827 for Lakeville and $14,641,365 for Freetown after the committee tapped $2,159,937 in reserves. Freetown Town Administrator Deborah Petty told the board "the budget is not sustainable for the towns," renewing a four-year request for a roundtable with municipal leaders.

Higgins warned a level-funded budget would force $4.1 million and 58 to 60 job cuts. The committee also voted 6-1 to ask the Lakeville Select Board to redo a tabled committee-appointment vote over procedural concerns, with member Courtney Brightman abstaining. The Select Board takes up the budget, and a possible override, March 17.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of March 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.