Residents at Westborough’s Special Town Meeting have approved two articles asking for nearly $930,000 to pay for special education out-of-district costs.
In the past year, Westborough Public Schools placed 11 students out-of-district.
“It’s an anomaly,” said Westborough Public Schools Superintendent Amber Bock.
At Town Meeting, Bock presented an overview of special education programs. This included out-of-district placements.
“Last year we were presented with an exceptional challenge, post-COVID,” said Bock.
Article 6 asked for $628,833 in appropriations to cover the out-of-district costs for nine students. Article 7 asked for $300,519 from free cash to cover for another two students starting Nov. 1, and two settlement agreements.
Kristen Vincent brought forth Article 6.
Lloyd Coughlin said he plans to vote no; he proposed that the schools unfund some of its programs, including green initiatives.
A resident requested a motion to have the funds in Article 6 come from free cash.
“We will accept the will of the town,” said Bock.
Select Board Chair Ian Johnson said, “It is not our practice to use free cash for one-time practices. Our recommendation is to vote no on the amendment.”
The Advisory Finance Committee voted 6-1-1, against the amendment.
Town Meeting voted, 111-342, against the amendment.
Article 6 passes, 327-127.
Vincent brought forth Article 7.
Article 7 passes, 363-105.
Had the articles failed at Town Meeting, the School Department would have needed to find the funds from its FY23 budget. That would have included program-based staffing cuts.
