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Ashland School budget set at $5.08 million as committee cites steep special-education and insurance costs
Summary
The Ashland Budget Committee approved a $5,081,357 school operating budget for 2027, citing rising special-education expenses, higher health and dental insurance, and a drop in state adequacy aid as principal drivers.
Kendall Hughes, presiding at the Jan. 14 public hearing, presented the Ashland School District’s proposed operating budget of $5,081,357 for fiscal 2027 and said the package represents an increase of $275,736, or about 5.74%. "The actual school proposed budget for 02/2027 is $5,081,357," Hughes said.
The committee was told three major factors are driving the increase: special education costs, higher employee health and dental insurance, and a loss of state adequacy payments. Hughes said special-education spending increased by $408,066.90 to comply with federal IEP and 504 requirements and to fund a second school bus to meet transportation needs. She provided student counts: 44 students on individualized education programs (IEPs) and four students identified as English-language learners; current enrollment is 152 and is projected to fall to about 146 next year, yielding an average class size of roughly 16.2 students per teacher.
Hughes outlined staffing adjustments designed to reduce costs by $227,932, noting reductions that include one full-time teacher position and a 0.3 full-time-equivalent librarian. Line-item movements included a roughly $99,011 reduction in regular education and increases in occupational therapy (+$82,480), technology (+$30,382) and speech services (+$14,168); library and media services were reduced by $40,624.
A member of the public raised concerns about students arriving at school hungry. Committee members and staff said the budget includes an additional $30,000 to address food insecurity and related supports; committee members asked school staff for more detail on service provision.
After discussion, the committee moved to accept Article 3, the school operating budget (motion moved and seconded), and recorded the vote as passing by a 6–0 voice vote. The committee closed the school budget hearing and proceeded to consider the town operating budget and other warrant articles.
The committee’s action puts the proposed budget before voters as presented; if Article 3 were defeated the default budget figure provided in the warrant would apply. The committee recorded motions and approvals for the school budget at the Jan. 14 public hearing.
