With a proposed, unprecedented, six percent raise in the Wareham Public Schools budget came feedback from passionate parents during Wednesday night's School Committee meeting.

Parents expressed hope that some of the nearly $30 million budget proposed for Fiscal Year 2018 will fund special education training for teachers and faculty at Wareham Public Schools.

Heather Hogan spoke to the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and the School Committee about the “disturbing comments” she heard about special education during a Budget Workshop meeting on Dec. 1.

“A couple things I think you should consider are an apology to special education parents, training to all the school community members in special education law,” she said.

Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood, who presented the proposed budget along with Business Manager Michael MacMillan, assured Hogan and other parents that the matter would be a priority.

The additional staff that schools are requesting, Shaver-Hood said, are all for special education. Shaver-Hood and School Committee members spoke with the parents after the meeting, aiming to clear the air and move forward.