Special Ed Debate Sparked at Town Meeting

When the Holliston school system's budget came to a vote at town meeting on Monday night, Jonathan Varrell took the podium to ask for reform to some of the town's special education practices. 

He asked residents to vote against the $28.5 million budget until Superintendent Brad Jackson provided answers to why special education students were sometimes transported by a private taxi company. 

"Dr. Jackson doesn't want to deal with special education," Varrell, a father of two children with learning disabilities, said. 

Residents passed the budget by a vote of 84-52, but Varrell soon made a motion to reconsider the vote. 

"I've never had someone question my integrity like this. I'm hurt by this," Jackson said during the meeting. "This budget is not about me, it is about the students in town." 

Residents and school committee members later took the podium to support the town's special education practices. 

The motion to reconsider was voted down by attending residents, passing the school system's budget. 

Earlier in the meeting, Bill Dowd took the podium to support a measure calling for an elimination of stipends and subsequent health care coverage for elected town officials. 

Mark Schultz denounced the measure, grouping it in with the reasons he decided not to seek reelection to the town's finance committee. 

"This is part of the demonization of town officials," Schultz said. 

The measure was denied by voters. 

Proposed by the Board of Selectmen, a measure that reduced trash fees from $150 to $140 was approved by the attending residents. 

Town meeting continues on Tuesday with article 17 on the warrant.