Southern Berkshire School Budget Passes Unanimously After Failing 5-4 Same Night

LENOX — June 3, 2026 — Southern Berkshire Regional School Committee passes $21.4 million FY27 budget unanimously after a dramatic same-night reversal. The committee first failed to pass the budget on a 5-4 vote — falling short of the seven-vote supermajority required under the district's regional agreement — before public outcry from laid-off teachers and parents prompted a unanimous motion to reconsider and a 9-0 final approval at the June 3 special meeting. The approved budget carries total expenditures of $21,371,399 and a total district assessment to five towns of $16,808,548, reflecting approximately a 6 percent increase. Nine staff positions, including a school librarian, chorus teacher, physical education teacher, and two secondary classroom teachers, had been reinstated in the budget using one-time funds set aside at the prior meeting. The committee also adopted an amendment directing administration to identify savings in benefits and administrative raises sufficient to restore two to four additional positions, with internal adjustments to be reviewed at a meeting the following Thursday. The budget now requires approval from four of the five member towns before July 1.