Barre's Monty Tech Assessment Drops $3,948 as FY27 Budget Clears Finance Committee Presentation

BARRE — March 17, 2026 — Barre's Monty Tech assessment falls slightly as Finance Committee hears $35.5 million FY27 budget. Monty Tech CFO Tammy Crockett and Superintendent Tom Brown presented the school's proposed FY27 budget of $35,516,660, a 2.53 percent increase driven largely by a state-mandated net school spending rise and a $470,000 lease payment for an athletic field renovation by Crook Construction. Barre's proposed assessment to the school is $411,548, down $3,948, one of only five member towns to see a decrease — a result of three fewer Barre students in the foundation enrollment calculation. Crockett noted that 271 of the state's 360 school districts, including Monty Tech, will receive only the $75-per-pupil minimum Chapter 70 increase under the governor's House 2 budget, with the bulk of a $242 million statewide increase flowing to Student Opportunity Act districts. Town Clerk Jordan also presented a $58,490 elections budget including a one-time $6,400 poll pad replacement cost and new $300-per-election programming fees. A Finance Committee member announced his resignation at meeting's close, noting a new job at Monty Tech with conflicting hours, leaving the committee needing a new vice chair.