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Board of Selectmen Minutes 7 Monday, January 26, 1998 Budget Workshop Session: (continued) Discussion ensued with regards to mandated Special Education services. Approximately 15%of Mashpee students are receiving some form of special education services at this time. Dr. DeMoura discussed new laws proposed to govern Special Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As noted; In-District special education programs are to be reimbursed at 80%of all such approved costs that exceed three times the state average per pupil foundation budget. Out-of District programs are to be reimbursed at 65%of approved costs that exceed four times the state average per pupil foundation budget. School districts which are eligible for reimbursement are to be reimbursed in semi-annual payments of said"shared special education costs." Dr. DeMoura indicated that Mashpee is spending well below the state average of$6200 in per pupil expenditures. It is estimated that the town expends $5042 per pupil at this time. Dr. DeMoura urged the Board to support legislative action to amend some of the mandates required by special education. He will provide a memo to the Selectmen and Finance Committee with respect to this regard. A legislative hearing on the proposed changes to the Special Education laws will be held at the State House in January. New positions proposed for FY99 were discussed. Dr. DeMoura was requested to provide a complete break down of incremental costs associated with new positions, salary increases, special education costs, and varsity sports. In addition, the School Department was requested to furnish a copy of the Schedule 1 Report to the Selectmen and Finance Committee for review. A break down of school employee benefits was also requested for additional review. The Selectmen will meet again with the Finance Committee and School Committee in February to further review the FY99 budget.