All Three Nashoba Towns Pass FY27 Budget; District Eyes $1.8 Million in Capital Improvements

STOW — May 13, 2026 — Nashoba Regional's FY27 budget cleared all three member towns as the School Committee confronted calls for greater financial transparency. School Committee Chair announced at the May 13 meeting that Stow, Bolton, and Lancaster each passed the budget by resounding votes, with member towns approving more than $1.8 million in capital commitments for facilities through FY31. Bolton resident Dan Dina urged the committee during public comment to develop a five-year budget forecast, video-record budget warrant meetings, and hold community informational sessions before final budget votes, noting that Bolton's district assessment came in at 4.2 percent above the 3 percent revenue-sharing guidance. Assistant Superintendent Friend reported the district was designated an exemplar by DESE after meeting all 28 ESSA federal grant compliance criteria, while also flagging that the $338,000 literacy launch grant has been zeroed out in both House and Senate budget proposals, with the district's Prism early literacy program now dependent on a legislative fix before July. The physical restraint and seclusion policy update carries a hard state compliance deadline of August 17, 2026.