Pam Grama, the district business manager, told the school committee the December budget report includes a more complete projection of special-education expenses and transportation costs for the current year.

Nut graf: While the combined special-education tuition and transportation shortfalls are smaller than last year, the district still projects a material operating shortfall pending expected state emergency‑assistance and Chapter 70 funds.

Grama said the operating-budget shortfall for tuition is about $67,000, and the transportation shortfall tied to special-education runs is roughly $400,000; by contrast, the two items together totaled about $963,000 in last year’s December report. She said the district expects emergency-assistance payments from the state and is monitoring supplemental budget actions and Chapter 70 allocations.

Superintendent Dan Bauer added that the district had contact with DESE about emergency-assistance allocations and expected an email later in the week to begin the reimbursement process; DESE’s advance reimbursements were described as an accommodation for emergency shelter circumstances. Grama and Bauer noted additional mechanisms such as circuit breaker claims and pending grants are also expected to reduce net costs.

Committee members pressed for clarification about whether homeless students were still being transported. Grama confirmed buses still serve hotel shelters in Danvers when families remain housed there and that the district shares transportation costs with sending communities when students are placed in other towns but continue attending Danvers schools.

The committee asked for continued updates as state reimbursements and Chapter 70 allotments are finalized.