Old Rochester school district operating budget tight but approved

MATTAPOISETT — Funding for the Old Rochester Regional School District’s facilities and transportation departments have been slashed to balance the 2027 budget. 

Howard Barber, the school’s assistant superintendent of finance and operations, presented the proposed budget cuts to the School Committee during a Thursday, March 26 meeting. 

“Our goal ultimately was not to touch our classrooms,” Barber said. 

Special education transportation will be decreased and a night supervisor position will be cut. 

Operating schools in the district has become significantly more expensive in recent years, with transportation, utilities and health insurance costs rising particularly high. State funding has not increased accordingly, leaving the district with higher costs and a tighter budget. In order to keep the district running, cuts were vital. 

Superintendent Michael Nelson said while budgets are typically difficult to balance, this year has been unusually hard. 

“I'm not using the word challenging because it’s budget season, I'm using the word dire,” Nelson said. 

He said faculty and staff are the most important resources at the school, and ensuring their needs are met is a priority. 

The district is not the only one struggling to make ends meet, especially with reduced state and federal funding. Nelson said advocacy is the most important way to enact change in legislation. 

“The more voices they hear, the more they will consider making changes,” Nelson said. 

Residents will vote on the finalized Old Rochester budget at Town Meeting. 

Town Meeting will be held Monday, May 11 in Marion and Mattapoisett, and Monday, May 18 in Rochester.