05/20/2026
As a School Committee member, I see firsthand how funding shortfalls ripple across an entire district, affecting staffing, programs, resources, and opportunities for every child. But I also read this article through another lens: as a mom. My family lives this reality every day.
My youngest has an IEP, and I’ve sat in meetings hearing that she "doesn’t even qualify," while outside evaluations tell a different story. My middle daughter receives services out of district, and while I’ve tried to bring her back into our local schools, the reality is that her needs require a level of support that our district simply hasn’t been resourced to provide, especially when special education funding continues to fall short.
People often assume that because I sit on the School Committee, my children somehow have an easier path. The truth is, in many ways it feels harder. I see the challenges from both sides, as a parent fighting for my own children and as someone who sees the larger funding issues affecting families across our district. I know our educators care deeply and work incredibly hard, but they can only do so much with the resources they are given. Families should not have to fight to prove their child’s needs, and districts should not be forced to stretch already-limited resources.
The next time you see your State Representative or State Senator, ask them where they stand on fully funding the Circuit Breaker. Encourage them to make it a priority. Supporting students with disabilities should not be a fight families have to take on alone, because when special education funding falls short, the impact reaches every classroom and every student.
By Danielle Graziano
