Cheshire board hears rising special-education costs, requests for counselors and speech assistants

Superintendent Dr. Solon and special-education presenter Robin Ann Carey told the Cheshire Board of Education during a public budget review that rising special-education enrollment and higher per‑student costs are driving an increase in next year’s special‑education budget.

Carey said the district’s total special‑education costs this year are about $22.3 million and the administration is projecting roughly $23.3 million for the coming year. She said special‑education students will make up an estimated 16.1% of enrollment next year and that about 0.4% of students are placed out of district, with average out‑of‑district tuition and services averaging roughly $122,705 per student plus about $37,503 for transportation.

The district plans to request several personnel additions to keep more services in‑district and ease caseload pressures: a 0.5 full‑time equivalent (FTE) school counselor (currently funded in part by expiring ARP mental‑health grant money) and two part‑time speech‑language pathology assistants (SLPAs). Carey said the SLPA hires would allow speech‑language pathologists to focus on assessments, Individualized Education Program (IEP) writing and meetings while assistants provide small‑group and push‑in supports.

Carey also described program expansions…