Special education support funds in offing for Saugus

SAUGUS – While town officials voice concern over the lack of educational stimulus funding coming the town’s way, IDEA money is on the way.Days after Gov. Deval Patrick announced the $168 million in federal education stimulus recovery funds, in which Saugus was left off the list, he announced an additional $280 million aimed specifically at special education care and support. Of that, Saugus is destined to receive $380,000.”They’ll receive $379,937 to be exact,” said Rep. Mark Falzone (D-Saugus). “That’s real money out the door.”Pupil Personnel Director Cynthia Joyce said she met with Superintendent Richard Langlois Monday regarding the funding, which was dispersed through the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act. The plan she said is to see if the district can develop an effective plan that will systematically enhance in-house programs with an eye on cutting out of district costs.”Our primary focus looks to be intervention,” she said.Joyce said the idea is simple, if they can boost services offered and keep more students in the school system rather than placing them outside the district, in the end it would save money.”We’ll be meeting on this all week,” she added. “We’re trying to figure what’s best.”Joyce said she was pleased the district received the grant but added that it is limited in scope. Like her boss and other town officials, she said it would have been nice to have received some of the $168 million in educational stimulus funding that could address all students. When that money was doled out School Committee Chairman Joseph Malone said he was unhappy to see an affluent community such as Wellesley receive federal funding when Saugus did not make the list.He will be equally unhappy when he sees the second list. Wellesley received $670,000, nearly $300,000 more than Saugus.Lynn is slated to receive $2,388,947, Northeast Metropolitan Vocational School will receive $169,567, while Revere will pick up just under $1 million. Wellesley is not the only affluent community to make the list, however. Lynnfield was awarded $320,000, Swampscott will be given $266,415 and Marblehead will receive $424,433.