Whitman Select Board votes to seek state inspector general audit of school finances

WHITMAN — February 17, 2026 — Whitman Select Board votes unanimously to seek a state inspector general forensic audit of Whitman-Hanson Regional School District finances. Meeting jointly with the Finance Committee on February 17, the board backed a request — mirroring a recent Hanson Select Board action — to have the inspector general examine the district's financial management, with officials noting the office conducted a similar review in Brockton at no cost to the municipalities. Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter presented a fiscal 2027 budget showing a deficit of roughly $1,032,323 under a 5 percent school assessment placeholder, narrowing to $711,801 under a proposed 60-40 revenue-sharing formula championed by Finance Committee member Justin Evans. School Committee Chair Ryan Tressel, the only school committee representative present, reminded both boards that the committee alone sets the district assessment, scheduled for a March 18 vote, and cautioned he could make no commitments on behalf of the full 10-member body. Two public safety override warrant articles submitted by the police and fire chiefs — one seeking $576,527 to add six positions, one to maintain level services at an unspecified amount — were read into the record but not voted on.