Sheffield Approves $8.58 Million School Budget Share in Two-to-One Vote

LENOX -- June 29, 2026, Sheffield special town meeting approves $8.58 million school budget share one day before fiscal year end. Voters at the June 29 special town meeting approved the Southern Berkshire Regional School District's FY2027 operating and transportation budget 126 to 63, authorizing Sheffield to raise and appropriate $8,579,631 as its assessed share of a budget that represents a 7.1 percent increase to the town's tax rate. Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard's analysis, cited by School Committee Chair Julie Hannum, put the added cost to the owner of an average Sheffield home at $181 per year compared to a typical 3 percent budget year. Select Board member Robert Kilmer and Finance Committee Chair Colin Smith both opposed the budget, with Kilmer citing a cost per student he estimated at $35,000 and average class sizes of roughly nine. Finance Committee member Will Conklin broke from his chair's position, calling on voters to "give these folks a chance" under new district leadership. Two companion school articles, $157,888 for roof and boiler debt and $82,250 for capital expenses, passed 174 to 15 and 158 to 26. A proposed fence bylaw, the only article to fail, was defeated 55 to 75 after residents raised unresolved questions about enforcement, agricultural exemptions, and mixed-use zone heights.