BEVERLY — The Northshore Education Consortium has turned to grants and community fundraising in a "cutting-edge" effort to enhance student programs without putting more strain on public schools and taxpayers.

"Given the financial crisis our district is under, we're hesitant to add costs to our programs," Executive Director Bob Gass said.

The main expenses at the consortium are covered by tuition, which is paid for by public schools and, ultimately, taxpayers. Instead of increasing tuition to pay for some of the planned enhancements to the school — like a new playground for disabled kids, a graphic design course for students and more outreach to families — the consortium is looking for money from the community, Gass said.

To that end, the consortium is hosting a fundraising dinner and auction at 6 p.m. on April 10 at the Sheraton Ferncroft Resort in Danvers.

As one of 29 educational collaboratives in the state, the consortium serves special education students in 17 cities and towns on the North Shore. Across the board, public schools are facing significant budget shortfalls due in large part to rising special education costs.

As a collaboration between numerous school districts, the consortium serves special education at tuition lower than most private schools. Tuition there ranges from $26,000 to $56,000 a year, depending on the program, as opposed to about $75,000 at a private school, Gass said. And they'd like to keep it that way.

"We're trying to pass on less costs to districts for extras," Gass said. "We also believe in the North Shore there are a lot of people who want to help with these kids."

Community and Program Development Director Sarah Wadhams-Seiler said the consortium plans to become more visible in the community, starting with its first benefit, honoring Dr. Jeff Prince, the director of child psychiatry at North Shore Medical Center in Salem. Many of his patients there are also students at the consortium, and he's been providing consulting services for the past 11 years.

"I feel very honored and humbled they would recognize the work we've done together," Prince said.

In the last four years, the number of special education students at the consortium has doubled as public schools have seen an increase in students with emotional and behavioral disorders, Gass said. The consortium recently renovated the first floor of its Sohier Road building to consolidate its Northshore Academy program for students with social, emotional and psychological challenges. The consortium is also moving around some of its other programs to free up space, as special education continues to grow.

In addition to more diagnoses via advances in medical technology, some kids who could have been maintained in a public school system wind up being "unsuccessful" and moved to a special education facility, Gass said. With less individual attention in classes or the elimination of certain programs, problems seem to surface.

"The more you cut in general education, the more you'll have in special education," Gass said.

If you go

What: Northshore Educational Consortium's first fundraising event honoring Dr. Jeff Prince, director of child psychiatry for North Shore Medical Center in Salem. He has provided consulting services to the North Shore Education Consortium for 11 years.

When: Thursday, April 10, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: Sheraton Ferncroft Grand Ballroom, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers

Cost: $75 per person

Includes: cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, speakers and live auction

Tickets: Call Sarah Wadhams-Seiler at 978-232-9755, ext. 1251, or e-mail swadhams-seiler@nsedu.org.