North Attleborough School Committee Flags $494,000 Budget Gap, Reorganizes Subcommittees

NORTH ATTLEBORO — April 5, 2022 — North Attleborough School Committee reorganizes and confronts a $494,000 gap in its fiscal year 2023 budget request. The committee, meeting for the first time after a recent election, confirmed subcommittee assignments including Justin Albert and Justin Alexander on the Budget Subcommittee and Jennifer Maloney on the Negotiations Subcommittee, and voted to remove Lynn and Jim Caporella from the Superintendent Replacement Search Advisory Committee over concerns that their involvement could create a perception problem for the ongoing superintendent search. Superintendent Rich presented a level-services budget of approximately $8.6 million — a 9.24 percent increase, or $734,820 above the current year's $7.9 million town appropriation — driven largely by a surge in special education caseloads that has grown from 128 students last year to 147, with three disability categories each jumping between 25 and 61 percent. Town Manager Brian Noble has signaled the town can offer a 3 percent increase, leaving a shortfall of roughly $494,000 that could force class sizes above 30 students per room if not closed through revolving account funds, new fees, or a town meeting appropriation to replenish a now-depleted $120,000 special education reserve.