April 8, 2018, Fall River (MA) Herald News: Free-Lake School Committee tackles reserve fund problem http://www.heraldnews.com/news/20180408/free-lake-school-committee-tackles-reserve-fund-problem Key points are no staff increases, required employee salary increases are less than previous years, enrollment and special education services continue to rise and be unpredictable… The issue of reserve funds was the most discussed matter of the night. Since late last year, the Free-Lake Committee has discussed the establishment of a special education stabilization fund, designed to offset all increasing and unexpected costs for special education services throughout the district. A total of $250,000 from both towns is being requested to set up this account, which requires approval at upcoming special town meetings. If approved, all withdrawals from the fund would require approval from both towns’ selectmen boards.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.