Minuteman committee approves FY27 special-education increment and several budget transfers; capital-fee memo sent to state

The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School Committee voted to approve the recommended FY27 special-education incremental fee and authorized two budget transfers during its February meeting.

Business office director Nikki presented the finance package, explaining that the district follows a state-prescribed formula for fees collected from out-of-district students. Nikki described the special-education incremental fee calculation and recommended an FY27 per-pupil incremental fee of $8,755. The committee moved and approved the fee by roll call.

Separately, the committee approved two budget transfers during the quarter: shifting funds from teacher lines to cover increased long-term substitute needs, and moving funds to cover extraordinary maintenance—specifically labor and installation costs to repair a boiler heat exchanger and replace a blower motor. Nikki said the boiler itself is under warranty but labor and installation are the district’s responsibility.

Nikki also described a capital-fee memo that the district will submit to the state commissioner for approval. The memo documents a Type A and Type B capital fee calculation the district is permitted to charge out-of-district students; administration said the memo will be submitted by March 1 and typically receives state review by the end of March. The administration did not ask the committee to adopt the capital-fee rates at the meeting, characterizing the filing as informational and part of the state review process.

The committee’s finance chair, Sarah Montigue, and members praised the clarity of the documentation and the finance team's work. The committee approved the special-education fee and the recommended transfers by roll-call votes.

The district’s business office will finalize the capital-fee submission and return with any state adjustments or approvals.