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Westford schools project year‑end strain as special‑education tuition and heating costs rise; Title I funding at risk
Summary
Director of Finance Jenny Lin told the school committee the district faces pressure from rising special-education tuition encumbrances and higher natural-gas heating costs; the district also risks losing Title I federal funding next year after falling below an eligibility threshold.
Westford Public Schools staff told the School Committee on April 28 that rising special-education tuition obligations and unexpectedly high heating costs have pushed the district’s fiscal-year 2025 budget toward a projected deficit.
Jenny Lin, director of school finance, reported a general fund available balance of about $505,971 with projected spending at roughly 99.25% of appropriation. Lin said special-education tuition encumbrances have increased sharply: total encumbrances rose substantially compared with the prior year and the district could face a projected general-fund shortfall in that area of roughly $250,000 to $350,000 unless offsets or savings are realized.
Lin said the heating contract signed by the town with a supplier (covering March 2024–February 2027) has contributed to a projected heating cost deficit in the range of $150,000 to $250,000 due to higher natural-gas prices and a colder winter. She noted available electricity and water contract savings could help offset some of the heat-related shortfall, but that remains contingent on final invoices and weather.
On federal grants, Lin said DESE projection data show Westford likely will fall below the Title I participation threshold (the district’s projection stood at 1.94%), which would result in the loss of roughly $110,000 in federal entitlement funds for fiscal year 2026 and could affect Title IV eligibility in the following year. The committee was told that DESE’s current practice does not yet validate course-enrollment data for some self-reported graduation markers; staff said they will clarify coding and reporting practices to ensure compliance.
Revenue-management measures discussed included using revolving accounts (school-choice offsets and other revolving funds) and the special-education stabilization reserve. Lin noted the district’s revolving balances will draw down this year: school choice offsets are budgeted at $528,000 and other revolving-account balances have been estimated for use; the special-education reserve stabilization balance was reported at about $140,000 as of quarter 3. Any use of the special-education reserve would require school committee action and selectboard approval.
Committee members asked Lin to coordinate with town finance officials about the natural‑gas contract impact and to return with recommendations; the committee also discussed timing for any request to use the special-education reserve.
Ending: The committee was not asked to take immediate budget action on April 28; staff will continue monitoring actual Q4 expenditures and report recommendations for how to address projected shortfalls.
