Westfield, MA: School faces "serious deficits in special education"

Nov 4, 2026, Westfield faces budget strain from rising special education expenses - masslive.com

WESTFIELD — At the School Committee meeting on Nov. 2, Finance Director Shannon Barry began her report by clarifying a few points from the Oct. 19 meeting.

She said that while the School Department faces serious deficits in special education, that does not necessarily reflect the shape of the budget as a whole. She also said, while the department is in the second month of the school year, it is in the fourth month of the fiscal year.

Reviewing the budget, Barry said the natural gas and electricity budgets were on track, although gasoline and diesel expenses were higher than anticipated. . . . SUBSCRIPTION