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On February 11th, the Newburyport School District projected a staggering 7.9% City Appropriation increase for FY ’27, jumping to $42.5M. Nowhere is the strain more visible than in Special Education. Last year’s SPED Tuition budget was $2.25M; this year the projection is $4.98M. At the same time, the district plans to increase out‑of‑district (OOD) placements from 27 to 34 students (15 private day, 8 collaborative, 7 residential, 4 public day), pushing total SPED spending from $12.5M to $15.8M.
As a parent of a special needs student, I’m not here to question or cast any doubts whatsoever about the incredible work many outside programs do, or pretend those critical programs are inexpensive. And I’m not saying we should have zero specialized placements. Some kids absolutely need them to thrive.
What I am pushing back on:
In my opinion, there is a pattern of sending students out-of-district, a lack of careful planning for these expected tuition increases, and an administration seemingly stuck in reactionary crisis‑management mode that keeps investing in in‑district programs and staff, yet still pushes vulnerable students out, even when families and IEP teams disagree with district administrators. Absurd, unprofessional strategies that are morally troubling and financially unsustainable. Our kids deserve better than a model that outsources them instead of serving them. Granted, the numbers presented on the 11th are preliminary as part of the district’s annual iterative budget spin; however, again, in my opinion, trimming corners off the school budget should not be left to ambiguous, convenient, murky, and unpredictable “savings”, “reductions” and “staffing reallocations” like retirements, attrition, compensations adjustments, SPED department rejiggering, non-personnel cuts – and/or – having to take the extraordinary step in applying for “extraordinary relief” in hopes the State can help with a handout.
On a personal note, for my family, this isn’t abstract.
We’re being pressured toward a residential placement that contradicts both our daughter’s IEP team and medical advice, even though Newburyport’s own materials say it has the staff and programs to support her in‑district. Her individual needs as a student are not a part of this budget. Yet, the district receives government funding for her education under the category “resident student – not attending,” which means the district counts her as a student even though she isn’t attending classes. The State is including her as part of Chapter 70 foundation enrollment funding formula that provides financial aid, even though she is receiving zero educational programing. In essence, they count her to receive funding, but those funds are not going towards her education
For context: According to the DESE website – “The Chapter 70 program is the major program of state aid to public elementary and secondary schools. In addition to providing state aid to support school operations, it also establishes minimum spending requirements for each school district and minimum requirements for each municipality’s share of school costs.”
I question where those funds are being spent if not on our daughter’s education. Note, “Administration” also includes your elected School Committee members and the budget that is approved by our City Councilors.
To me, one cannot simply blame rising out‑of‑district costs for outrageous increases to the school budget when District administration keeps choosing to place students out, instead of fully investing in and using the in‑district programs they claim to offer, and planning for known yearly tuition increases of up to 14%.
I urge Newburyport’s leaders to ensure this budget reflects the heart of our Portrait of a Graduate vision: that every student, including those with complex needs, has what they need to craft their own path. Our children deserve a financial plan that supports their unique journeys, instead of a system that narrows opportunities when learning looks different.
Bill Joor
Newburyport resident
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