N. Attleboro, MA: 25% of budget used for SPED; 'Numbers are going up, costs are skyrocketing'

Jan 22, 2026, Sun Chronicle: North Attleboro school superintendent says additional positions needed to handle rising class sizes and increase in special education students

https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/north-attleboro-school-superintendent-says-additional-positions-needed-to-handle-rising-class-sizes-and-increase/article_d0affbd0-e271-417f-b311-9bfe7b9fd95e.html 

NORTH ATTLEBORO  MA-- School officials are again seeking funding for numerous new positions they contend are needed to handle growing student needs and reduce class sizes.

Superintendent John Antonucci is proposing a $55.26 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that would represent a $3.9 million, or 7.73%, increase over this year's $51.3 million budget.

Funding for 20 new personnel at an estimated cost of $1.56 million is included in the proposed budget.

Several of the proposed positions are regular and special education teachers and related personnel, but a long-desired assistant principal for Amvet School is requested because of a ballooning enrollment in that school which now numbers about 400 students.

"They are essential for running public schools," Antonucci said. "We're creating long-term risks" without the positions. . . .

"Even more significant needs we are challenged with now," Antonucci said. "It is well documented, we need people, we need services." . . .

While enrollment is down nearly 10% in North Attleboro since the start of the pandemic in the 2019-20 school year, it has been relatively stable in recent years and is expected to climb with large housing developments opening and planned.

A surprising 912, or one-quarter, of the school system's 3,859 students are considered special education students. There are 150 more such students than three years ago -- a 20% increase, similar to what many school systems have been facing since the pandemic.

Special education costs -- mandated by state and federal law -- account for about one-third of the school budget.

"The numbers are going up," Peters said of students requiring more services. "Costs are skyrocketing."

This year's budget saw a $2.2 million, or 4%, increase.

"It was absorbed virtually entirely by personnel costs," Antonucci said, adding there was $116,000 left for non-salary expenses. "Most of the budget is committed before we get started." . .

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Another big budget driver is increased out-of-district special education costs, estimated to rise $425,000. The costs have jumped $1.57 million, or nearly 50%, the past three years, to $4.5 million. There are 36 such students, with one whose services are costing nearly $500,000. . . .