Manchester Essex School Committee Presents $33.85 Million Level-Services FY27 Budget

ESSEX — February 3, 2026 — Manchester Essex Regional School District proposes a $33.85 million FY27 budget at level services with no staff reductions. Business Manager Michelle presented the figures at Tuesday's public hearing, showing a 3.85 percent overall increase and an operating assessment rising 3.74 percent for Manchester, or $654,000, and 4.03 percent for Essex, or $432,000. The budget relies on a $600,000 reserve draw — consistent with FY26 — and recommends cutting the annual OPEB contribution from nearly $900,000 to $300,000 to ease operational pressure. Health insurance premiums, originally projected at a 20 percent increase, have been revised down to 14 percent with further reductions possible before early March. Public comment focused heavily on a proposed student activity fee, with Essex residents warning the charge would disproportionately burden families already disadvantaged by the lack of a late bus and a municipal parks-and-recreation program; officials said no fee decision is required this year and proposed developing a framework for the FY28 budget cycle. A town collaboration meeting is set for February 5 at noon at Essex Town Hall, and the committee is scheduled to vote on the budget February 10.