The Governor Wentworth Regional School District Board approved a request to withdraw the full balance of the district’s Special Education Trust Fund—about $219,700—to cover unanticipated special-education expenses for the current fiscal year, and it maintained a temporary districtwide budget freeze while administrators work to close a projected shortfall in the default budget.

During a public hearing, Director of Special Education Kelly Matz detailed four drivers of the request: contracted services (nurses, evaluators, behavioral technicians), unanticipated tuition (in- and out-of-district placements), transportation costs when the district is the sending district, and specialized equipment needed by students with disabilities. Matz said the district’s percentage of students receiving special education services falls below the New Hampshire average but that student needs have grown in complexity, producing unpredictable and legally mandated costs.

Business Administrator Cathy Olinas explained the budget freeze the district put in place on March 25. The freeze stops new purchase orders, limits payroll adjustments outside contracted obligations, and pauses outside work and extra-duty contractor work unless essential. Olinas said federal food service grants and collective-bargaining obligations continue to be honored. She said the district will continue to post expenditures to their proper lines and will not request additional budget transfers at this time.

After public comment urging the board to protect athletics and field maintenance funding, the board voted to approve the requested withdrawal. The motion, made by Mary Schiller and seconded by Charlene Seibel, passed by roll call with all present members voting in favor. Trustees also approved an adjusted default budget later in the meeting that reduces new staff and holds lines where feasible; administrators said they will continue monthly reviews of special-education expenditures and return with updates.

Ending: Trustees stressed that the withdrawal is a one-time measure for the current fiscal year; administrators said they will continue to search for savings and to bring an adjusted budget proposal for next year that aligns mandated services with available revenue.