Ashburnham-Westminster FY22 Budget Shrinks Slightly While Ashburnham Assessment Rises 2.1 Percent

ASHBURNHAM — February 23, 2021 — Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District presented a fiscal year 2022 budget showing an overall decrease of $50,874, or 0.2 percent, from the current year while fully preserving staffing and co-curricular programs. Superintendent Dr. Stewart and finance director Julie told forum attendees Tuesday that despite the slight overall reduction, Ashburnham's assessment will rise by $165,829, or 2.1 percent, while Westminster's increases by just $25,585, or 0.2 percent — a gap driven by the state's minimum local contribution formula, not local spending choices. A pandemic-related enrollment drop of 103 students, recorded on the October 1 state count, is reducing state aid to the district for the coming year; the district is adding four elementary teaching positions to prepare for expected returning students. Athletic participation fees, waived district-wide this year due to pandemic hardship and abbreviated seasons, are expected to be reinstated for FY22, with scholarship assistance continuing. The School Committee is expected to vote on the budget at its next regular meeting.