Superintendent flags rising special-education costs; district to monitor state funding

The Tigard-Tualatin School District superintendent told the board that high-cost special-education services are placing increasing financial pressure on the district and urged attention to state funding decisions this legislative session.

The superintendent said the district paid roughly $2,800,000 for high-cost special-education services in 2022–23 and said the figure for 2024–25 is expected to be higher. The district plans to monitor the 2025 state school fund deliberations and to advocate for adjustments to how high-cost special-education spending is covered by the state.

At a prior work session Director of Student Services Carol Kinch had outlined the district’s inclusion philosophy and the need to ensure access to education “in the least restrictive environment.” The superintendent told the board: “you can't put a price tag on the commitment that we're making to ensure that all students have access to the opportunity, to the education that they deserve.”

The superintendent said the district is “fortunate” to have two state representatives who understand district needs, naming Representative Bowman and Representative Neuron (as spoken in the meeting). The superintendent said the district will raise awareness about the impact of high-cost special-education spending as state budget and school-funding decisions proceed.

No board action or formal vote on funding changes was taken at the meeting; the item was presented as an update and part of ongoing advocacy work.

Ending: The board scheduled ongoing monitoring and advocacy tied to the state school fund process and will continue the discussion in future budget and legislative updates.