Whately Boards Weigh Override as Budget Gap Exceeds $500,000

WHATELY -- March 17, 2026, Whately's Selectboard and Finance Committee weighed override options ranging from 4 to 8 percent as the town's fiscal year 2027 budget gap exceeded $500,000. Sunderland Elementary School Principal Darius told both boards that a failed override would force the elimination of arts, music days, the school library position, the school adjustment counselor, and a math interventionist, cuts he called "devastating", driven in part by nearly 8 percent growth in mandated one-to-one special education services in a single year. Mid-meeting, Finance Committee member Crystal reported from a South County EMS session that the regional agency had cut its budget from $361,000 to $315,527, saving Whately roughly $52,000. Officials calculated that each 2.5 percent override increment equals approximately $200,000 against the town's $7.689 million proposed levy, putting the likely override range between $400,000 and $700,000, or roughly $200 to $400 annually on the town's median $5,105 tax bill. The committee directed finance director Becky to prepare multiple mock budgets before a follow-up session scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, with a warrant article deadline looming around March 27.