Marshfield Town Meeting approved Article 6, establishing a Special Education Reserve Fund to cover unanticipated costs for out-of-district tuitions and transportation. Assistant Superintendent Tom Miller noted that while the town has not needed such a fund in the past, it is considered a best practice already adopted by many neighboring communities. The fund balance is capped at 2% of the annual net school spending.

The article revealed friction between the School Committee and the Select Board. Select Board member Trish Simpson argued that such requests should be included in the regular school budget through a more collaborative process. Regrettably, that level of collaboration has not been the norm here in Marshfield, she stated. However, supporters like Steve Darcy argued the fund acts as an emergency stabilizer to prevent a single expensive placement from blowing up the entire school budget. No money was actually appropriated to the fund at this meeting; the vote simply creates the account.

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.

Vote: Passed by Majority