Budget approval process
This page traces what happens after the School Committee certifies a budget — from Town Meeting through the override ballot.
Key terms
Two types of certified budgets
The process branches depending on how the School Committee certifies its budget relative to what the towns can fund within their levy limits.
Level Funded
The requested budget is at or near the standard increase of half of new revenues. Even though towns give more to the schools, it is less than the decrease in Chapter 70 state aid — resulting in roughly $600,000 less for the school. A level-funded budget is also any request low enough to be covered without significant impact on other town department budgets.
Greater than Level Funded
Any budget the School Committee certifies that exceeds the level-funded definition above. This triggers the more involved approval sequence, including potential Town Meetings and override votes.
Starting point
School Committee certifies a budget
The School Committee must certify its budget request by April 30th. The budget is then sent to both Mendon and Upton for consideration at their Town Meetings.
The School Committee must act within 30 days. The outcome depends on whether this is the first or second failure.
First failure
School Committee accepts the Town's appropriation.
School Committee recertifies at greater than the Town approved. The Selectmen must call a Town Meeting within 45 days.
Town Meeting approves contingent on an override vote.
Town Meeting votes no. Override vote is triggered.
Second failure
School Committee accepts the Town's appropriation.
School Committee forces a Joint Town Meeting (JTM) with both Mendon and Upton.
An override may be attempted. If it passes, the levy increase covers the gap. If it fails, departments absorb cuts.
Override vote
Town Ballot — the override question
When a Prop 2½ override is placed on the Town Election ballot, voters directly authorize (or reject) a permanent levy increase. This is the stage Mendon is currently in for FY27.
The School Committee must act. It has three paths.
School Committee recertifies at Level Funded.
School Committee calls a Joint Town Meeting.
An override may be attempted at this point. Passes → budget covered. Fails → departments absorb the gap.
School Committee recertifies at greater than Level Funded. Selectmen decide whether to call a Town Meeting within 45 days.
Town Meeting votes on the budget.
An override may still be attempted. If it passes, the levy increase covers the cost. If it fails, the unconditional approval stands at the lower amount.
Current status
Where Mendon is in this process
The School Committee has certified a budget greater than Level Funded for FY27. Town Meeting voted to approve it contingent on a Prop 2½ override. The override question is now on the Town Election ballot — this is the vote residents are being asked to decide.
A yes vote resolves the process: the levy increase is authorized and no departments are impacted. A no vote returns the School Committee to the options in Phase 2 above.
See the Vote Info page for election dates and polling details, and the Numbers page for the specific dollar figures involved.
Source
About this process diagram
This page describes the statutory framework governing how the Mendon-Upton Regional School District budget is certified, reviewed, and approved under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71 and Proposition 2½ (M.G.L. c. 59, § 21C).
For the authoritative current warrant language and budget documents, see the Documents page or visit mendonma.gov.