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Board approves New England Center for Children secondary classroom, moves $218,000 in FY25 funds
Summary
The board approved a contract with the New England Center for Children to stand up a secondary classroom starting fall 2025 and approved a $218,000 budget transfer to fund the first year.
The Timberlane Regional School District School Board voted June 19 to contract with the New England Center for Children (NECC) to establish a secondary partner classroom inside the district beginning in fall 2025. The board also approved a budget transfer of $218,000 in fiscal 2025 funds to support the first year of the program.
Administrators said the NECC classroom would provide intensive, ABA-based educational services for students on the autism spectrum and would initially serve up to six students, potentially expanding by one student in year two by mutual agreement. The contract covers a full-time NECC lead teacher, a clinical supervisor who provides one day per week on-site clinical supervision and home-based consultations, and extended school-year services for enrolled students. The district will provide a 1:1 tutor for each enrolled student and classroom materials.
Administration argued the program keeps eligible students and families in-district, allows students access to typical peers and school programs, and can reduce the district's out-of-district tuition and transportation costs. Administrators projected that returning or keeping three students in district could generate several hundred thousand dollars in annual savings compared with out-of-district placements.
Motion and outcome: Mark Sherwood moved to utilize FY25 funds to enter into a contract with NECC to establish a secondary classroom beginning fall 2025 for $218,000; Shauna Manthorn seconded. The motion passed with one abstention. The board then voted (motion by Mark Sherwood; second by Sean) to approve the budget transfers totaling $218,000; that motion also carried with one abstention.
Administrators said the contract would be funded through special education function lines that have unexpended salary and contracted-services balances in FY25; if the board approved, the administration would submit a budget-transfer request (which the board approved) to reallocate those funds.
Board members described the vote as both a student-centered decision and a potentially cost-saving step for the district. The administration noted the program would be monitored, and the board asked that updates be provided on enrollment, fiscal impacts, and implementation.
