Marlborough School Committee told 14 percent state tuition hike could cost $475,000

MARLBOROUGH -- October 25, 2022, Marlborough schools face a $475,000 hit from a state-authorized 14 percent special-education tuition increase. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Doug Diaz told the School Committee the Operational Services Division's fiscal 2024 projection, up from 2.5 percent last year and a 1.8 percent decade-long average, would amount to nearly 1 percent of operating budget if collaboratives follow suit, climbing to about $650,000. Circuit-breaker reimbursement would not offset the cost until fiscal 2026. Member Jaime Hennessy called the figure "ludicrous" and "outrageous." Members will press the state treasurer and DESE commissioner on the issue at next week's MASC conference on Cape Cod. The committee separately approved a $954,408 DESE ventilation and air-quality grant and learned the K-5 ELA program will transition from HMH's Journeys to Into Reading next fall.