Worthington adopts amended FY2027 school budget, funds in‑district special‑education program

Worthington voters approved the town’s FY2027 school budget after the meeting adopted a $30,000 amendment that reduced the district’s original request to $1,940,351.38.

The motion to approve the school budget was made by the article mover and amended on the floor before the final voice vote. The amendment reduced the total to $1,940,351.38 to reflect updated secondary tuition projections after the district learned two fewer students will attend Hampshire Regional next year.

The school presenter described a new special‑education initiative dubbed “Acres of Opportunity,” which the district says will provide intensive services at RH Conwell for some elementary students who previously required out‑of‑district placements. Presenters said the out‑of‑district expense for those students would have totaled roughly $332,375 and that bringing services in‑house will save an estimated $164,375 in the coming year while improving services locally.

Officials said the first year of the Acres program will include a consultant to train Conwell staff; consultant fees are budgeted at about $90,000 next year, declining over a three‑year contract and expected to phase out thereafter. To cover the initial cost, the school committee agreed to transfer $90,000 from a special‑education reserve fund that the committee has built from one‑third of school‑choice revenue.

District staff and school committee members told voters that state law requires the town to provide special‑education services identified in student education plans, and that the in‑district program is intended both to meet those obligations and to reduce long‑term costs. The presenters said the in‑district program could accept tuition‑paying students from other towns in later years, potentially helping to sustain the program.

During discussion, residents asked for more precise multiyear cost estimates; presenters said the consultant contract is fixed for its term and that later-year costs will fall as staff capacity grows. Officials warned that because the reserve will be reduced by roughly half after the transfer, unexpected special‑education expenses exceeding the remaining reserve could trigger a request for additional town funding or a special town meeting.

The article passed by voice vote following amendment.