Committee Formally Requests $1.3 Million in City Funding to Cover Special Education Deficit

What happened

With out-of-district special education enrollment now at 104 students, the district's projected deficit after Circuit Breaker funds is $1,316,009. The Committee voted to formally ask the Mayor to request this amount from the City Council to resolve the shortfall.

Why it matters to families

This is a concrete, escalating budget shortfall requiring direct city funding intervention, reflecting a significant unplanned cost pressure on the district's finances.

The evidence

VOTED: On motion of Mr. Tarallo, seconded by Ms. Wong-Bigelow, to ask Mayor McCarthy to request funding from the City of Waltham in the amount of $1,316,009 for the purpose of resolving the School Department's deficit stemming from Special Education out-of-district tuitions and transportation costs. All in favor.

The source