School committee OKs Atlanta DECA trip
Wakefield School Committee approved a student trip to the National DECA Conference in Atlanta and heard that out-of-district special education tuition could reach about $6 million next year.
School Committee · Meeting of February 24, 2026
Wakefield School Committee approved a student trip to the National DECA Conference in Atlanta and heard that out-of-district special education tuition could reach about $6 million next year. Interim Special Education Director Shannon Blacker said 45 students are currently placed outside the district, with transportation alone costing $61 to $450 per day per student depending on need. She also reported the district is short a part-time nurse after a November resignation and noted a state monitoring review found one finding, on physical restraint policy, now under a corrective action plan due back to the committee by late April.
METCO Program Director Glavia Smith said the district's METCO enrollment hit its state-assigned cap of 65 students. School Business Administrator Christine Bufagna said the DECA program raised $1,500 toward the Atlanta trip, calling the student-run initiative's growth "amazing." The DECA vote passed unanimously.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 756 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of February 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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