Clinton School Committee Advances HVAC Warrant Request and Special Education Stabilization Fund Proposal

CLINTON -- March 23, 2026, Clinton School Committee eyes $200,000 HVAC warrant article and a new special education stabilization fund as FY27 budget season heats up. Director of Facilities Brian Farragher told the committee at its March 23 meeting that he has requested $200,000 in a potential warrant article for townwide heating system repairs, with a large share dedicated to correcting glycol levels at the elementary school and high school. Farragher also reported that one of the high school's five boilers is down and under evaluation for repair or replacement, with townwide boiler inspections scheduled for around April 1. Superintendent Dr. Meyer outlined a proposal to establish a special education stabilization fund capped at roughly $818,000, equal to 2 percent of net school spending, to cushion against unexpected mid-year tuition costs that have increasingly strained the district's circuit breaker funds, saying he intends to ask the Select Board to place a warrant article before Town Meeting. The committee also received two legislative earmark requests submitted to state representatives: approximately $100,000 for elementary school phone and security upgrades, and funding for a multi-functional activity vehicle to improve transportation efficiency as program enrollment declines. A joint Finance Committee budget meeting is set for April 9 at 6 p.m.