Acushnet School Committee Adopts $17.7M Budget, Cuts Eight Positions to Stay Solvent

ACUSHNET — May 12, 2026 — Acushnet School Committee unanimously adopts a $17.7 million constraint-driven budget that eliminates eight staff positions and still requires $1 million more from the town than currently offered. Business Manager Aldo Freitas told the committee Tuesday that the town has indicated it can fund the district at roughly $16,008,000 to $16,009,000 for FY2026-27 — about $770,000 short of the constraint-driven request of $17,691,457 — and that falling short would force 12 or more additional position cuts beyond the eight already built into the plan. Newly elected Chair William McGinnis disclosed that a joint letter from him, Superintendent Paula Bailey, Freitas, and union president Cavarlo had asked the Board of Selectmen to reconsider the level-funded position before the vote. Member Jesse Ellis warned against desensitization to the eight-position cut, noting the district has now shed 22 positions across three budget cycles, and called on residents to "have an open mind when it comes to discussing a proposition two and a half override." The committee also reorganized, electing McGinnis as chair and Ebony Cordero as vice chair, and voted unanimously to support a town meeting warrant article that would move the annual April town election to school vacation week beginning in 2027.