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School leaders urge state to change special-education funding formula, cite unreimbursed costs
Summary
Superintendents and district leaders testified that special-education costs are rising faster than state support, asking lawmakers to add a special-education weight to the Education Cost Sharing formula and to fix gaps in the excess-cost grant.
Superintendents and district officials from Hartford, Meriden, Southington and New Britain told a state legislative listening session that rising special-education expenses are outpacing state aid and are forcing local budget cuts.
Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres Rodriguez said ensuring services for students with disabilities "has encompassed some of the most demanding work during the past decade," and argued the state should add a weight to the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula to cover excess costs. “Our current overall revenue in Hartford is the same as it was back in 2019–20. When adjusted for inflation, this means that the total revenue has actually decreased over time,” she said.
Why it matters: District witnesses said unpredictable or partial reimbursement from the state forces towns to absorb large costs, drives program cuts in other areas and discourages districts from investing in in-district specialized programs that can keep students near home.
Most important facts first: Dr. Torres Rodriguez told the committee Hartford serves about 3,400 students who receive special-education services and…
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