Waltham Schools Face $1.1 Million Special Education Funding Shortfall This Year

WALTHAM — January 21, 2026 — Waltham School Committee learns of a $1.1 million special education shortfall as out-of-district placements surge to 103 students. Assistant Superintendent for Finance Chad Mazza told the committee January 21 that approved tuition and transportation budgets totaling $7 million are projected to reach $12.7 million this fiscal year, with a potential climb to $13.76 million if seven pending placements are finalized — leaving a net gap of roughly $1.1 million even after applying all $4.9 million in state circuit breaker reimbursement funds and $790,000 in carry-forward money. Mayor and Chair Kathleen McCarthy pressed for contract review compliance, telling administrators "no one is allowed to deficit spending" and announcing the city's law department would be consulted on authorization procedures. In other action, the committee voted 6-0 to adopt an emotional support dog policy — including a last-minute amendment allowing the superintendent to grant same-day approval for urgent trauma situations — and 6-0 to advance a first reading of a revised meal charge policy after the state ordered removal of language tying cap-and-gown receipt to resolved negative balances. Superintendent Stephanie Mendonza also announced the district will adopt Bridges in Mathematics, Third Edition as the new core elementary math curriculum following a semester-long pilot, with 13 of 19 curriculum council members and 7 of 11 principals recommending the program over the competing IM curriculum.