Wayland school finance panel finalizes budget hearing plan, accepts $150,000 reserve transfer

WAYLAND — April 5, 2024 — Wayland school finance subcommittee accepts $150,000 special education reserve transfer and scopes facilities study. Finance Director Susan Bottone told members the Select Board voted Monday to move $150,000 in special education transportation costs from the operating budget into the SPED reserve, fully depleting it for fiscal 2024; the funds are expected to be re-appropriated at the May 13 town meeting. Bottone said a $350,000 transportation shortfall was covered by the reserve, roughly $115,000 in unanticipated circuit-breaker reimbursement, and savings from unissued teacher lane changes — five issued so far against more than 20 projected. Out-of-district tuition is tracking near $1.1 million versus a $990,000 projection. The panel also began scoping a school facilities study using $288,000 already in hand, after the town opted to pursue its own assessment of non-school buildings with On Site Insight. "We have $288,000. We don't have $2.8 million," Bottone said, urging a tight scope before any RFP. The subcommittee voted to approve March 22 minutes and meets again April 24.