Article 6 proposed the creation of a Special Education Reserve Fund under state law to help the school district cover unanticipated costs for high-needs students. School Committee member Tom Miller explained that the fund would be capped at 2% of the annual net school spending and would only be accessed through a majority vote of both the School Committee and the Select Board. Superintendent Patrick Sullivan noted that a single new student requiring out-of-district placement can cost the town hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The article sparked a debate over municipal cooperation. Select Board member Trish Simpson expressed frustration that the article was not included in the regular school budget process and lamented a lack of transparent and coordinated financial planning between the town’s governing bodies. Resident Eric Kelly echoed these concerns, stating there was a big disconnect in communication. Supporters, including resident Steve Darcy, argued that the fund is a best financial practice used by neighboring towns to prevent emergency special education costs from blowing up the general budget.

Motion: The school committee moves that the town vote to accept the provisions of mass journal law chapter 40 section 13E to establish a special education reserve fund to be utilized in upcoming fiscal years to pay without further appropriation for unanticipated or underbridge costs of special education.

Vote: Passed by Majority