Weston School District reviews proposed FY27 budget; special education, ELC expansion, substitutes and technology drive discussion

Weston — The Weston School District presented responses to more than 50 board-submitted questions during a public forum on Jan. 14 that focused on special education programming, early-childhood capacity and tuition, substitute staffing and technology replacement in the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.

"I'm here tonight to ask that you honor and maintain the current student to teacher ratios in our elementary schools as you finalize next year's budget," said Kelly James, a parent, during the public-comment period, urging the board to protect elementary class sizes.

Dr. Edwards, who led the special education portion of the forum, told the board that special education enrollments have increased in recent years — "rising from 249 students in 2018 to 323 students in 2024" — and credited expanded in-district programming with reducing out-of-district tuition costs for five consecutive years. Dr. Edwards said the proposed FY27 budget recommends maintaining the district's current levels of certified and non-certified special education staff to sustain those programs.

Staffing details presented included four school psychologists (one per school), five social workers (one additional social worker dedicated to the high school Pathways program), and an…