Central Berkshire School Committee Adopts $37.7 Million FY27 Budget Unanimously

DALTON -- March 12, 2026, Central Berkshire Regional School Committee adopts $37.7 million FY27 budget at a 2.99 percent all-funds increase after cutting $719,000 from its February tentative. The committee voted unanimously Thursday on the final gross operating budget of $32,792,421 and capital budget of $2,378,588, with the salaries-and-benefits component of $21,423,002 passing 11-0 with two abstentions. Superintendent Dr. Michael Hanau said the reductions required eliminating four teaching positions, in high school English, special education, middle school engineering, and kindergarten, along with technology budget cuts and the removal of registered behavior technician positions. Despite the 2.99 percent overall increase, town assessments will rise an average of 6.74 percent, ranging from 5.11 percent in Covington to 10.54 percent in Hinsdale; Dalton's assessment is rising roughly $560,000 against a levy capacity of just over $800,000. Hanau warned the budget is contingent on receiving at least $1.45 million in state rural aid, calling Central Berkshire "a budget cycle or two away from beginning that death spiral of losing programming, losing resources, and ultimately losing students." The committee also voted unanimously to suspend its school choice policy to allow time for more accurate kindergarten enrollment data before a final school-choice decision at its April 9 meeting.