Brentwood presents $123.4 million special services budget, cites staff shortages and rising out‑of‑district costs

Brentwood special services leaders presented the district’s proposed 2025–26 special services budget and staffing needs at the Board of Education’s informal budget workshop on March 11, outlining a projected $123,397,818 investment and a list of requested hires to address rising enrollment and service demand.

The presentation, delivered by Rhonda Young, covered compliance with federal disability law, rising numbers of classified students and initial evaluations, and a sharp increase in expected out‑of‑district costs, particularly for BOCES placements.

Young said the district is projecting a total special services investment of "$123,397,818. That is a 28.43% increase," and attributed most of the growth to a 92% projected increase in state‑approved private placements, a 45% increase in BOCES spending and a 32% increase in state‑supported schools.

Why it matters: The budget and staffing requests touch everyday services for students with disabilities — evaluation timelines, speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and in‑district inclusion supports — and the district projects further increases in out‑of‑district placements that drive costs.

Key figures and staffing…