The budget for the Windham Southeast School District is nearing completion, with an expected total of around $69 million set to be presented to voters. School officials emphasize their commitment to maintaining high-quality educational programs while being mindful of financial constraints.

Frank Rucker, the business administrator for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, mentioned during a board meeting that school leaders believe this budget will enable the achievement of their educational objectives, which include supporting students and retaining skilled staff.

The proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year shows an increase of approximately 2.6 percent compared to the current year. This budget is projected to be finalized by January 27. The district plans to hold its annual meeting and budget vote on March 17 at Brattleboro Union High School. Rucker, who serves the supervisory union providing services to both the Windham Southeast district and the Vernon Town School District, provided insights during the discussions.

Tax rates for local schools are anticipated to increase by 2.9 percent in Brattleboro, 4.6 percent in Dummerston, 5.8 percent in Guilford, and 0.4 percent in Putney. However, the district is awaiting the release of the current year’s yield bill, which is set by the state Legislature and impacts property tax assessments statewide.

Martha Noyes from Brattleboro advocated for reconsidering the decision to reduce the budget by $400,000, citing the financial difficulties many residents face. The proposed cuts would distribute approximately $50,000 less to each school in the district.

The business administrator acknowledged the public’s concerns and noted that they are shared by the state governor and multiple stakeholders. Rucker also detailed earlier cuts of $700,000 from the budget, which involved the elimination of several positions across various schools. This included staffing reductions at the Academy School, Brattleboro Union High School, and others, along with a decrease of $150,000 in planned equipment purchases.

Rucker further emphasized the district’s efforts to avoid excessive spending that could incur penalties from the state while aiming to stabilize tax rates yearly. He observed that, on average, school budgets across the state are forecasted to rise by around 6 percent.

Superintendent Mark Speno noted the impact of historical staffing reductions, citing that around 30 positions have been cut in recent years and predicting a continued need for staffing adjustments in the upcoming year. He conveyed support for the proposed spending plan, highlighting an upward trend in student performance in math and English within the district, indicating significant progress in academic achievement.