What's Driving the Costs

Three major areas account for the majority of the increase:

• Health Insurance
  Rising sharply due to market increases

• Salaries & Contracts
  Required increases to retain and support staff

• Special Education Costs
  Driven by student needs and mandated services

👉 These three areas make up 81% of the budget increase

The Bottom Line: While these mandated costs have seen historic increases, our local revenue remains capped by the provisions of Proposition 2 ½, creating the structural gap we face today.

Understanding the Proposition 2 ½ Operational Override Process

Understanding the Proposition 2 ½ Operational Override Process

In Massachusetts, Proposition 2½ is a state law that limits how much a town can raise in property taxes each year. An override is a voter-approved increase that allows a community to fund important local needs. Because we are a Regional School District, this requires a transparent, two-step approval process in both Mendon and Upton:

• Step 1: The Town Meeting Vote: Residents must approve the budget appropriation at their respective Annual Town Meetings. This requires a majority vote from those in attendance.

• Step 2: The Ballot Vote: Because this is an override, it must also be approved by a majority of voters at the town election (ballot box).

Why Funding Isn't Keeping Up

While costs are rising:

• State funding has remained mostly flat

• Chapter 70 aid has increased only slightly

• Transportation reimbursements are not keeping pace

• Federal funding (including Title I) is at risk of being reduced

👉 Over time, this creates a growing gap between costs and revenue

This is a Needs-Based Budget

How Each Town is Funding the Budget

Notes on Funding Approaches:

• Mendon: The proposed funding includes a one-time draw of $564,403 from Town Stabilization (reserves) to reduce the property tax impact of the FY27 assessment.

• Upton: The proposed funding relies on the Operating Budget and an Operational Override, a strategy designed to preserve the town’s current stabilization fund balance.

• We also encourage you to vote yes on any tax offsets for senior citizens to help offset the override that may come before the town meeting during the next year.   

Goal 1: Maintain Effective Class Sizes

Goal 2: Meet Student Supoprt Needs