Clarksburg Eyeing Tight Budget; Looking for Grant Funds
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Clarksburg School could be in line for more grants but next year's budget is expected to be tight.
"I think two potential big impacts for the FY26 budget are the lack of school choice, we're going to have more clarification on that number as soon as we can ... and then also the fact that we talked about before, the Student Opportunity Act," said Superintendent John Franzoni. "That grant was in FY24 and was only a two-year commitment."
This last year of the SOA grant is $136,000, which the school will not have going into fiscal 2026.
School choice funds, which have been used in the past to cover gaps or reduce the tax rate, will also be down an expected $200,000, because of lower rates of school choice students. An increase in resident students has reduced the number of open spots.
The upside of that growing number of students living in Clarksburg means that Chapter 70 education has also risen funding.
"It definitely sets up up for the need to look at some various options as we start going forward for planning for FY26," said Franzoni. "It's going to be important to have those accurate numbers for school choice to help us with the planning process."
He expected the numbers would be ready this week.
There are some movements that could happen, such as not filling a position, and Principal Sandra Cote will be retiring next year. Franzoni said he and Cote have been planning some actions and will make recommendations based final figures.
Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes reported on grants. Part 2 of a Safe and Supportive Grant of $9,500 will go to the social-emotional team for a screening tool for flagging children at risk and other intervention tools to supplement their work; the school is partnering with Optimal Healing in North Adams to provide one-on-on therapy for a small number of students on school grounds that can be billed for insurance.
She has applied for a $6,300 farming grant to create a garden, make a field trip and supplement the curriculum; and a Partnership for Reading Success — Massachusetts (PRISM) grant with Savoy and the Hoosac Valley Regional School District.
"I think that will be some big money for early literacy," she said. "It would be a multiyear grant with a literacy position ... maybe this is something that can fall into place to help us do the work we want to do [if revenues fall off]."
Franzoni said the general theme seemed to be collaborating with neighbors could mean more money. He was disappointed that another grant for a regional study between Clarksburg, Hoosac and North Adams was not submitted in a timely manner. However, he said it might still be possible as the state representative and senator are supporting the effort and the secretary of education was also on board.
"We would be well qualified for the regional study and it's disappointing that one person didn't follow through," he said. "We're not giving up because I think it's something that has to happen."
The committee expressed some concerns on the year-end reports being late to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. They were due on Sept. 30 but Business Administrator Lisa Blackmer said there had been hiccups because of staff turnover, absences and technology issues.
The Northern Berkshire School Union is comprised of five small towns and four schools, all of which have separate school boards and finance structures with Clarksburg as the lead financial agent.
"What can we do? I feel like we are in the same boat every year," said Chair Laura Wood. "We're supposed to have them done by the end of September and here we are in November."
Committee member Mary Giron asked if there was something the committee could do to help, noting that benchmarks had been set to help meet the deadlines.
Blackmer said it was in part trying to coordinate with the other towns when they had people out. "I think that now we have staff we should be able to get these things done," she said, expecting all the reports to be completed before the holiday.
In other news, Cote reported that the school is seeking a part-time cook as a recent hire did not work out. Blackmer reported on a procurement review of the cafeterias in Clarksburg, Florida and Rowe to take place this week to see if they are meeting U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. Reimbursable meals have to follow nutrition guidelines of a dairy, vegetable and protein — whether the students want them or not. Cote said food service was offering alternatives such as fresh vegetables and cheese sticks to encourage the kids to take the required foods.
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