Joint meeting discusses regional school budget, audit
Freetown and Lakeville discussed the regional school district's FY27 budget and a pending procedural audit in a joint meeting.
Finance Committee (Town of Freetown) · Meeting of March 5, 2026
Freetown and Lakeville discussed the regional school district's FY27 budget and a pending procedural audit in a joint meeting. Superintendent Barbara Starkie and Director of Finance John Higgins presented the budget overview and discussed long-term funding solutions to avoid overrides; both towns' school committees voted to use $900,000 in Excess and Deficiency funds to help address the shortfall. Finance Committee member Margaret M.
French expressed support for the procedural audit, approved two years ago but delayed, designed to identify cost savings and due diligence. Director Higgins reported correcting financial issues found in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, and the group reviewed school capital needs including fire suppression systems, wastewater treatment, boiler replacement, roof repairs, and other facility projects.
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Source: the Finance Committee (Town of Freetown) meeting of March 5, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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