Articles 26 and 27 focus on the town’s stabilization funds, including a first-of-its-kind investment in special education. While the town typically maintains a general stabilization account—which Warrant Committee Chair Jay Funling referred to as Fort Knox—Article 27 would put $500,000 into a dedicated Special Education stabilization fund created last year.

The fund is designed to protect the school budget from sudden, high-cost special education enrollments that occur mid-year. It is under the control of the select board and the school committee so they don't have to wait for a town meeting if an unexpected special education cost comes up, Funling said. The Warrant Committee has requested that the Select Board establish strict guidelines to ensure the money is used only for significant, unforeseen expenses.