We’ve gotten a bunch of emails asking, “What’s Next?,” in terms of the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District budget. The next step lies with the Department of Education who must rule if the B-R Regional School Committee voted in a timely manner to resubmit the so-called ‘Budget #1′. The Massachusetts General Laws specify that the School Committee needs to vote within 30 days of the rejection of its budget. However, the question of when did this 30-day window start is being asked by lawyers on both sides.
If the DOE rules that the vote of the BRRSC was invalid, then the issue is over with regards to Bridgewater. The assessment voted at the annual town meeting will be the official assessment. If the DOE rules that the vote was valid, then Bridgewater must act again at a special town meeting accept or reject the school district’s request.
If Bridgewater rejects the school committee’s request at special town meeting, the B-R Regional School Committee has already voted to put the issue before a joint town meeting whose vote will be binding. So, the voters of Bridgewater will essentially have to say no to the budget 4 times (annual town meeting, override ballot, special town meeting, and joint town meeting) before the School Committee will finally be forced to listen.