Pembroke School Committee Relinquishes Hatch Building Jurisdiction, Solidifies FY26 Budget Surplus
PEMBROKE - July 14, 2026 - In a summer session, the Pembroke School Committee voted unanimously to hand over jurisdiction of the historic Hatch building to the Town Select Board, freeing the school department from maintenance liabilities and allowing the town to explore historical grants. Additionally, the committee finalized the fiscal year 2026 budget close, reporting a robust surplus that will return approximately $220,000 to the town to help defray a lingering municipal snow and ice deficit.
The Full Story
The meeting opened with a rapid consensus on long-standing facility questions regarding the Hatch building. Committee Member Susan Bollinger presented legal research indicating that a historical deed restriction on the property had expired after 50 years. Bollinger noted that the original 1925 agreement was executed between the property owner and the Select Board, rather than the school committee. Superintendent Erin Obey concurred, advising that while previous legal opinions placed the burden on the school department due to its historical educational use, the building is no longer needed for school operations. The committee voted 4-0 to transfer jurisdiction back to the town.
“It’s such a sad day for me. I’ve really enjoyed my time with the Hatch Building. I like when they call me when the window’s broken or the lights are on or the alarm is going off.” — Superintendent Erin Obey delivered sarcastically [17:13]
Superintendent Obey then detailed the final fiscal close for FY26. The district intentionally froze several personnel positions early in the year to preserve leverage during collective bargaining. When the district attempted to unfreeze those positions mid-January, shallow applicant pools prevented full hiring, generating unexpected year-end savings.
The surplus funded all planned FY27 initial requests, including elementary teacher laptop replacements, student Chromebook cycles, FOSS science materials, and a new sound console at Pembroke High School. Even after these purchases, $270,000 remained. Obey recommended shifting $50,000 to the Special Education (SPED) stabilization account and returning the final $220,000 to the town. Combined with an additional $46,311 from liquidated purchase orders from two fiscal years ago, the schools will return over $266,000 to municipal coffers.
