School committee approves more than $1 million in contracts after members question high tuition, field‑trip and mediation costs

The Lowell School Committee voted Sept. 3 to approve a set of contracts and purchase orders — collectively totaling more than $1 million — despite questions from several committee members about unusually large line items.

Committee members focused questions on high out‑of‑district tuition and specialized transportation costs, a $56,360 contract to bring K–8 students to the Tsongas Industrial History Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and a $35,000 contract with Middlesex Community College for a violence prevention peer‑mediation program at Lowell High School. The motion to approve the package was made by Mister Lay and seconded by Miss Martin and passed on a roll call of 5 ayes, 1 abstain and 1 absent.

Why it matters: school officials said many of the largest costs are required by placements or outside providers and may be paid from specific grants or external funds rather than the district’s general budget. Committee members said they want clearer detail before approving similar contracts in the future.

Most of the transportation and related line items reflect services for out‑of‑district…