A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the escalating costs associated with special education within the Norton public schools. The district’s expenditure for out-of-district placements reached approximately $4.5 million for the fiscal year, posing a substantial financial challenge. The district is required to cover the first $50,000 of any out-of-district placement, with inconsistent state reimbursements ideally covering 75% of costs, a target that is not always met. In response to these financial burdens, both the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees are advocating for an increase in reimbursement to 85% annually.

The discussion revealed a doubling of special education costs over the past decade, with current expenses estimated at about $14.5 million, compared to $7.8 million ten years ago. This increase was attributed to a rise in the number of students with special needs and a growing population of medically compromised students requiring specialized services. Special education now accounts for roughly 41% of the district’s budget, up from 32% a decade ago, raising concerns about the sustainability of funding for other essential school services.

The board also explored grant funding, which supports critical staffing through federal Department of Education entitlement grants. These funds help maintain nearly 20 paraprofessionals, underlining the district’s reliance on such grants to sustain adequate staffing levels. However, concerns were raised regarding unmet staffing needs, such as the persistent absence of a library media specialist in the middle school, a position unfilled for over a decade despite repeated requests.

The budget discussion further highlighted the challenges of staff reductions, with a noted reduction of 22 positions since last year, despite an initial budget proposal that included a 12% increase. The reduction was ultimately scaled down to 5%, prompting concerns about the district’s ability to meet educational needs. Staff losses and their impact on remaining educators were a major focus, with the board expressing the need for creative solutions to address these challenges.

The board also addressed the complexities of the school choice financial model. The funding structure provides $5,000 per student, but additional costs arise for students requiring specialized services. The district has historically relied on school choice funds for educational resources, including technology, but concerns about sustainability were raised due to fluctuating enrollment and funding levels.

A participant noted the district’s current financial model’s inadequacy, stating that Norton received $2 million from school choice, although they would benefit if funding followed students more closely.

The sentiment that these issues are part of a “state problem” was echoed, highlighting the need for state-level solutions to address funding inadequacies.