Southwick pushes schools to trim budget after tough town cuts

The town of Southwick has taken big steps to tighten its own spending, cutting budgets by 5% last year and another 10% this year. But even with those reductions, the school district’s costs keep climbing, forcing officials to ask for more savings. The Select Board approved a letter asking the regional school committee to review its $16. 5 million budget—a move meant to ease the financial pressure on taxpayers. School leaders admit they’re facing outside challenges, like state funding rules and rising costs for special education and transportation. Still, they say the district isn’t fully in control of its budget. Meanwhile, Southwick’s own funds are stretched thin, with the school budget now nearly matching the town’s entire operating budget in some cases. That imbalance makes it harder to keep essential services running while planning for future needs.The push for cuts isn’t about blaming the schools—it’s about survival. Town officials argue that without adjustments, the financial strain will only get worse. The letter asks the school committee to find realistic ways to align spending with shrinking enrollment and local budgets. The goal isn’t to punish anyone but to make sure both the town and schools can keep functioning without collapsing under costs. At a recent meeting, some leaders suggested a 10% cut across all departments, including fire and police. Not everyone liked the idea, but it showed how serious the financial squeeze has become. The letter was approved without much debate, signaling just how urgent the situation feels.