Senator Brian A. Joyce (D-Milton) and Representative William C. Galvin are pleased to announce that the Town of Canton has been awarded an additional $205,337 in extraordinary relief by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The funds will come from the Special Education Circuit Breaker Extraordinary Relief Claims program, which is designed to help offset special education costs that exceed 125% of the previous year's claimed costs, and was supported by Senator Joyce and Representative Galvin.
 
In 2003, Senator Joyce co-sponsored the special education “circuit breaker” reimbursement to assist with extraordinary special education costs that may not be consistent from year to year. Special education costs may include out-of-district placements at schools that provide specialized services.
 
“Special education costs have a large impact on a school system’s budget,” said Senator Joyce. “The circuit breaker reimbursement was designed to assist towns with extraordinary and unexpected costs, and I am pleased that Canton will benefit from these funds. I intend to seek additional funding for Canton’s special education costs in the upcoming budget.”
 
Canton is scheduled to receive this additional funding assistance within two weeks.