Wayland schools project to break even; committee approves $150,000 transfer to special-education reserve

The Wayland School Committee reviewed the district's fiscal year 2025 third-quarter financial report and voted to request a $150,000 transfer from the town's reserve fund to offset special-education tuition expenses.

District financial staff reported that, based on current projections and conservative assumptions about state extraordinary-relief awards, the district expects to break even for FY25. The district said it expects notification soon from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding an extraordinary-relief award; staff said the district qualified for an award and conservatively included $220,000 of a potential $312,000 award in projections.

At the end of the presentation the committee voted to approve requesting a $150,000 transfer to the special-education reserve; the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition. District staff said the transfer would be used to reclassify certain tuition and special-education expenses, reducing the operating budget's special-education tuition deficit.

Committee members noted other positive budget signals at the state level: the House fiscal proposal included increases in Chapter 70 funding that could provide additional cushion, though staff cautioned the Senate and final conference process could change the number. Staff said the district's regular circuit-breaker reimbursement for special education is projected at roughly $1.3 million and noted timing and formula issues that affect final receipts.

The committee also discussed near-term administrative steps, including preparing the select-board paperwork to request the reserve transfer and continuing to monitor expenditures through May and June. The committee asked staff to return with updated numbers if state actions or major changes occur before the fiscal year end.