Holliston presents FY27 student‑services budget showing modest special‑education appropriation reduction amid rising out‑of‑district tuition

District finance staff presented Part 3 (student services) of the FY27 budget to the school committee and explained why the special‑education appropriation shows a modest reduction while overall costs remain driven upward by tuition and services.

The presentation identified a reduction in appropriations of $116,902 — described as a 3.33% decrease in the special‑education budget — attributed in part to planned or expected move‑outs and a lower projected number of out‑of‑district students. Administrators cautioned that reductions in out‑of‑district placements do not equate to reductions in in‑district services and said the largest cost pressures remain tuition increases for placements, which they said have risen in some cases by "15%, 22%, [and] 33% in a year."

The presentation also showed anticipated offsets built into the FY27 proposal: a circuit‑breaker reimbursement budgeted at approximately $3,140,000 and a federal "240" grant of about $886,000. District staff said they use multi‑year timing for some federal and reimbursement dollars (applying amounts received in one year as offsets in the next) and described that approach as a conservative best practice to avoid sudden budget gaps.

Committee members asked whether the inclusion of those offsets is confirmed; administration responded that the amounts are budgeted and that the FY27 appropriated request is roughly $3,397,000 (as presented), while the total special‑education budget including other offsets is referenced in the presentation at higher amounts. Administrators said they will present a modest priority‑needs package with principals on Jan. 22 to refine budget assumptions before the superintendent's recommended budget on Feb. 12.

Presenters emphasized that the net decrease in Part 3 is not evidence of diminished service levels but, they said, results from a combination of enrollment shifts and the district’s efforts to keep students within district programs where feasible.