Orleans School Committee Approves Minutes, Draws $138,000 From Special Education Stabilization Fund

ORLEANS -- May 18, 2026, Orleans School Committee honors 30-year veteran chair and closes a special education budget gap with a $138,000 stabilization fund draw. At its May 18 meeting at Orleans Town Hall, the committee paid tribute to outgoing chair Gail Breer, whose service as principal, assistant superintendent, and four-term committee chair spanned more than three decades; State Representative Hadley Luddy of the 4th Barnstable District presented a House citation, and Select Board Chair Kevin Galligan offered remarks. The interim business manager reported that a high-cost out-of-district placement drove a roughly $60,000 year-end deficit in the Orleans fiscal year 2026 budget, resolved by combining $15,267 in state extraordinary relief funds with the $138,000 stabilization fund transfer approved by the Select Board. Annual Town Meeting had already approved Warrant Article 14, allocating $124,139 to replenish that reserve. The committee voted unanimously to approve minutes from March 9 and March 16 and heard updates on a new five-month pre-kindergarten program review, updated state timeout-and-restraint regulations taking effect in August 2026, and a forming regional AI and digital learning committee; a joint Select Board and School Committee meeting presenting efficiency and regionalization consultant findings is set for June 2 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.