Fiscal committee approves $4.41 million in out‑of‑district tuition contracts for 36 special‑education students

The Stamford School District fiscal committee approved Resolution 82 on the superintendent’s recommendation, authorizing $4,409,187 in out‑of‑district tuition contracts covering 36 special‑education students. The committee voted 4‑0 to send the item to next week’s consent agenda for the full Board of Education.

The measure was read into the record by the committee chair and moved and seconded before discussion. During the committee exchange, Miss Hammond noted a recent, larger package the board approved for roughly $11 million (nearly $12 million) covering 71 students and asked how the current contracts fit into the district’s total outplacement picture.

Ryan, a district staff member, said the total number of out placements for the year is "closer to 200," and explained the board sees only those contracts whose individual value is greater than $100,000. "The board only sees out placements where the value ... is greater than $100,000," he said, adding that contracts exceeding that threshold are forwarded to the board as legal finalizes them. The chair also said the district receives a regular report from John Castellana that will include all outplacements, including those under $100,000.

Miss Hammond pressed for timing of the fuller report; staff said monthly reports are provided once the school year is underway and that additional outplacements may be added in December, January and February as new students are identified. The committee then voted to approve the resolution by a 4‑0 margin.

The committee chair said the approved contracts will appear on next week’s consent agenda for the Board of Education. The fiscal committee adjourned at 6:38 p.m.