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Sharon sets May 8 vote on budget after school funding debate

Sharon sets May 8 vote on budget after school funding debate
Sharon Town Hall is located on Main Street.
File photo

SHARON — Sharon will hold a town meeting on May 8 at Town Hall to act on its proposed municipal and education budgets for fiscal year 2027, following a late Board of Finance review prompted by resident pushback on school spending cuts.

Residents must attend the May 8 meeting in person to vote. The meeting will follow the Region One school budget vote on May 5.

Sharon’s budget plan was revisited this week after a two-hour public hearing on April 24 where residents urged officials to restore funding to Sharon Center School. The current proposal reflects a Board of Finance directive to cut $70,000 from the elementary school budget, bringing it to $4,165,513, flat from the current year and marking a fifth straight year with no increase.

Sharon’s contribution to the Region One high school totals $1,890,487, a 1.73% decrease. Combined education spending stands at $6,026,012, down 0.64% overall.

Following the hearing, the Board of Education discussed using savings from the regional side to offset cuts to the elementary school budget, an idea supported by residents.

The proposed municipal budget totals $5,446,187, a 5.78% increase, and has drawn little pushback.

If approved, the Board of Finance will set the mill rate. The current rate is 11.15, with no projection yet for the coming year.

Town Meeting

Friday, May 8, 6 p.m.

Sharon Town Hall

63 Main St.

Alec Linden
budget

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