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Green Apple With One Bite Taken From It

Welcome to Our FY27 Budget Report

Photo of Anthony Steele II

Dear Municipal Partners,
We all strive to lead healthy, secure, and well-managed financial lives, characterized by consistent saving, smart budgeting, low debt, and thoughtful long-term planning. Like parents, we model responsible behaviors, such as financial wellness, as we prepare our students to make informed and wise financial choices. Similar to physical fitness, our annual budget process requires regular “exercise” in managing revenues and expenses to ensure that we can meet current needs, handle emergencies, and pursue future goals — all key components of being fiscally fit and a responsible partner.  

In its simplest terms, fiscal responsibility at BVT means managing taxpayer funds wisely without overspending. At the same time, school budgets remain tight. Funding has become an especially acute challenge for municipalities across Massachusetts, caught between inflation-driven cost increases and binding constraints on new revenue. Therefore, as we present our proposed FY27 budget to our member towns, it is important to highlight cost-saving measures and fiscal discipline that align resources with instructional needs while continuing to deliver high-quality career and technical education.

As you review the proposed budget and consider your investment in BVT, you will observe the proactive annual planning and financial blueprint you have come to expect within this document. Although the state estimates that vocational education should cost nearly twice as much as traditional education, BVT has put forth budgets with per-pupil costs far below that estimate. BVT consistently ranks in the bottom third of Massachusetts vocational schools in per-pupil expenditure relative to our 25 sister schools. Our current per-pupil cost is approximately 1.25% of the average per-pupil cost of our sending schools. These comparative metrics are a great indicator that we are maintaining high-quality education while being financially efficient. We consider that a testimony to your return on investment.

Annually, BVT requests a one-time, all-inclusive consolidated assessment from each of our member towns, our one bite at the apple. Schools typically represent a town’s largest employee sector; however, the associated health insurance costs fall under the town’s umbrella, not under school expenses. This year, our efforts yielded an enviable 3.9% increase in employee health insurance benefits, while 15-20% increases are the norm. Regardless, that cost is factored into our per-pupil cost and ultimately becomes a major component of our annual budget. In addition to benefits, salary and wage are typically the largest driver of school budgets. This year, our School Committee and Teachers’ Association amicably worked together to settle our next three-year contract. The new contract features increases well below the current regional norm of 11% (over three years), and is estimated to save the District approximately $2M over its duration.

I am grateful for, and happy to report, that we have fostered and maintained the working relationships and awareness that allow our system to continually make adjustments to run more efficiently. Whether it is negotiating benefits and contracts to contain costs, or applying for grants and seeking donations to supplement revenues, everyone at BVT is rooted in protecting quality career-technical education at mindfully efficient expense.

In preparing next year’s budget, our goal is to keep BVT’s high-quality vocational education as affordable as possible while maintaining the programs and supports our students need to succeed. That work also relies on the support of informed and engaged municipal partners like you. We appreciate your shared commitment to fiscal responsibility and educational excellence.    


Respectfully,
Anthony E. Steele II
Superintendent-Director

FY27 Budget Cover

OUR FY27 BUDGET REPORT IS HERE!
Thank you for your interest in the Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District's annual budget report for the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27). This operational blueprint for BVT was approved by our School Committee on Thursday, March 12th. As an annual tradition, BVT's Superintendent-Director, Anthony E. Steele II, is pleased to offer you a digital copy of our FY27 Budget Report. 


MANY THANKS TO OUR BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE
The success of our mission wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support and guidance of our Budget Subcommittee. A special thanks for the months of their diligent work to review, examine, discuss, challenge, investigate, research, expand, and modify our FY27 annual budget.

  • James M. Mitchell of Sutton – Chair
  • Tyler D. Bartlett of Upton – Vice Chair
  • Joseph M. Hall of Bellingham – School Committee Member
  • Joseph A. Broderick of Blackstone – School Committee Member
  • Gerald M. Finn of Millville – School Committee Member
  • Nicole M. Ferguson – Business Manager
  • Christopher C. Pilla – District Treasurer
  • Anthony E. Steele, II – Superintendent-Director
  • Dr. Matthew Connors – Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum Director 
  • Jacquenette V. Raad – Assistant Business Manager
  • Jaime L. Patriarca – Assistant Business Manager