Special education

Special education overruns

In the worst of 17 years, FY2013, special education needed $223,774 beyond its voted budget.

  • In-district special education
  • Out-of-district tuition
  • Special education transportation
FY10FY11FY12FY13FY14FY15FY16FY17FY18FY19FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25FY26−$500k−$250k$0$250k$500k

1 · The facts

  • $223,774

    needed beyond the voted budget, FY2013

  • 12

    of 17 needing more than was voted

  • $39,766

    needed in the median year

  • 7

    of 17 tuition ran over its budget

  • $432,526

    tuition under its budget, FY2025

  • $619,020

    FY2024, with the account’s tuition put back (ours)

    our estimate

  • $541,717

    most the new reserve may hold, as described

  • 65

    for the reserve, Town Meeting, November 2025; 24 against

2 · What it shows

  1. 1

    In the worst of 17 years, FY2013, special education needed $223,774 beyond its voted budget.

  2. 2

    Tuition ran over its voted budget in 7 of 17 years, and under by as much as $432,526.

  3. 3

    Put the account’s tuition back and FY2024 needed $619,020; the reserve may hold $541,717.

What was said

  • “The fund requires a majority vote of both the School Committee and the Select Board to expend. The total balance cannot exceed 2% of annual net school spending.”

    Select Board minutes, 2025-10-07

  • “Member McLeod expressed lingering concern about potential budget impacts if the reserve were to reduce urgency around special education line-item funding.”

    Select Board minutes, 2025-10-21

  • “Ms. Brzozoski regarding the 14% increase in tuition, when did we find out about this?”

    School Committee minutes, 2024-02-28

Sources

What changed

Version 15 — updated September 20, 2026