Committee Approves Policies, 2027 Galvin Trips

School Committee · Meeting of October 13, 2026

Wakefield's School Committee heard that fiscal 2027 will be the last year the district can tap revolving funds to offset its budget. Superintendent Douglas Lyons said rising special education tuitions, transportation and pass-through service costs are "increasing faster than our revenue," pushing the fiscal 2027 level-service budget to $58,601,611, up $3.18 million from fiscal 2026. School Business Administrator Christine Bufagna reported the district's special education grant held at just over $1 million.

The committee also approved three policies on restraint/seclusion, building access and bus driver training, unanimously approved 2027 Galvin Middle School trips to New York and Washington despite costs rising to $1,499 per student, and heard findings from a SEAM Collaborative review recommending changes to the district's STRIVE and language-based special education programs, including a possible relocation of the Greenwood elementary program.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,932 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.