Timberlane officials ask state permission to spend unexpected revenue and approve transfers for special‑education services

The Timberlane Regional School District board on Tuesday heard that administrators will seek state permission to spend unanticipated revenue to help cover rising special‑education costs and approved several internal budget transfers to move money where contracted services are needed.

Justin, the district administrator, told the board he will "write a letter to the commissioner, and I'm gonna be citing RSA 32 11" to request authority to expend additional or unanticipated revenue received this year so the district can use those funds to offset special‑education costs. He described the request as a way to access revenue that exceeded the district's original projections.

June, the director presenting the transfer request, asked the board to approve three budget transfers above $25,000 that reallocate existing funds among special‑education accounts. "What I'd like to do is relocate some of those funds to both my elementary out of district tuition line and the high school out of district tuition line," June said, and added a separate request "to move $85,000 from my psychological contract service line to my special education contract service lines." June said the reallocation reflects where students are actually placed and the district's greater need for contracted services this year.

Board members asked clarifying questions about how many students were currently placed out of district and whether the transfers were consistent with the overall special‑education bucket. June said she had the detailed numbers available but did not provide them on‑the‑spot and that the transfers were internal reallocations within the special‑education budget.

Shauna moved to accept the transfers and Don seconded; the board approved the motion unanimously. The administration said it will continue to refine the contracted‑services line and explore avenues for potential special‑education aid reimbursement and catastrophic aid in fiscal 2027.

The administrator also told the board he will contact town managers and selectmen in the four member towns to emphasize the importance of timely apportionment payments through July to support cash flow.

Next steps: administration will submit the letter to the commissioner seeking authority to spend unanticipated revenue and will report back on the status of that request and any updates to the special‑education contracted‑services projections.