Midyear budget report reveals deficit in special education spending

Finances were the hot topic at last Wednesday’s School Committee meeting, with midyear budget concerns drawing attention from committee members and school administration. 

Chad Mazza, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, presented the mid-year budget update, saying that although the district has spent only 48% of its budget so far, upcoming bills may exceed what’s left in the budget and push the district into a deficit.

“What [this number] doesn’t take into account is the increase in out-of-district tuitions, the increase in transportation, the increase in facilities maintenance, supplies for the new high school and a bunch of different things,” Mazza told the board.

For example, 3% of the money allotted for professional development for personnel has been used thus far. However, 96% of the money is already actually spoken for and will be paid to teachers in the form of stipends at the end of the fiscal year – leaving very little for any additional expenses.

Mazza also expressed concern about the amount of funds budgeted for the district’s special education program, which includes tuition payments to out-of-district schools, transportation for special education students, and additional therapeutic services not met by the out-of-district schools. 

Mazza noted that there will be reimbursements coming in for some of these costs, but those reimbursements will not be enough. 

To address that specific shortfall, he said the district could fortify the district’s in-house special education programs to better suit students’ needs so that fewer students need to travel out of district for education — thereby lowering the amount of out-of-district tuition payments.

“Over time, you start to create a system where you’re bringing students back and it’s saving a bunch of money. More importantly, kids are back with their friends and are in programs with their friends,” Mazza said, citing a similar effort he made while serving as assistant superintendent in Somerville.

Committee members thanked Mazza for his update, taking no further action on the topic at its March 19 meeting.

Donations to the district

The School Committee also had updates on a number of donations to the district.

Plympton Elementary received a donation of $5,000 from Cityside Subaru. The money will be distributed among 10 teachers, who will use it to buy supplies for their classrooms. 

Bentley University gave $10,300 to be shared among all of the elementary schools in the district. 

Additionally, clothing insecurity non-profit Cradles to Crayons donated winter coats to be used by Waltham students.

In other business, the School Committee approved a request to ask Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy to apply for a grant through the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The money would be used to replace the roof at the Northeast Elementary School.

CORRECTION: The story reported that Bentley University gave $10,300 to each elementary school in the district. The gift was $10,300 total to be distributed to all of the elementary schools. We regret the error.