School spending gets a fresh look in Southwick

The Southwick-Tolland-Granville regional schools face a familiar problem: how to balance their $30 million budget when towns want deeper cuts. At a recent meeting, the school committee chair admitted the system’s finances could be clearer. He asked locals to understand that school budgets don’t work like town budgets—state rules lock most of the money in place. About three-quarters of the $30 million is already decided by state formulas before any decision is made. Even if fewer students show up, the district can’t just remove a teacher for every two missing kids; classes are spread across multiple schools. Fixed costs—things like insurance, heating, and special education—keep rising no matter how many students enroll. Special education alone has been pushing costs upward as out-of-district placements and new programs add to the bill. Meanwhile, sending students to the regional vocational school now costs more than before. The district has cut 21 full-time jobs over the past few years, but further reductions will likely come from extracurricular activities rather than classrooms.Some committee members pressed for details like class sizes and spending per student. The answers weren’t ready, which frustrated those who wanted clearer numbers. The chair agreed that better communication is needed. He also warned that if costs keep growing, the district might eventually ask voters for more money—something a nearby town recently tried and failed to pass. Plans are already underway to start the budget process earlier next year, with public meetings scheduled before decisions are finalized. The goal is to help residents see why some expenses can’t be cut and to make sure everyone understands the trade-offs before they’re forced to choose between sports, teachers, or higher taxes.