Dunstable Officials Warn of Deep School Cuts if May Override Fails

DUNSTABLE — May 1, 2025 — Dunstable officials previewed the May 12 Town Meeting warrant and warned that a failed Proposition 2½ override would trigger up to $1.7 million in school cuts. Town Administrator Jason (last name not confirmed) walked an online audience through the fiscal year 2026 budget, which is projected to rise roughly 6.6 percent and requires a $480,841 general override to maintain current services; if overrides fail in both Dunstable and Groton, the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District would need to eliminate four teachers, eight paraprofessionals, two central office positions, and forgo the restoration of a nurse and counselor already cut in prior rounds. Superintendent Jeff Bruno, in his first year at the district, attributed the structural shortfall to 15 years of flat Chapter 70 state aid, which has dropped from covering 35 percent to 24 percent of school operating costs. The override ballot vote is May 20. A resident's proposal to temporarily lower the Community Preservation Act surcharge from 3 percent to 1 percent drew pushback from attendees who noted the state match — historically averaging 75 percent — would be lost and that the savings cannot be redirected to schools.