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Candidates highlight special-education costs and staffing shortfalls in Emmett schools
Summary
At the candidate forum, speakers described rising special-education enrollment and the financial and staffing strain it places on the Emmett School District, with calls for state and legislative engagement.
Special-education funding and staffing dominated several candidates' answers at the forum.
Incumbent Terry Jones told the audience the district currently serves "381 students on special ed with 35 in the pipeline" and said the district "shoulders almost a 100%" of the expense, estimating it represents about "10% of our budget or about $2,000,000 annually." Jones described the need for more qualified special-education personnel and said the federal mandates tied to special education require district capacity: "Special ed, it's a federal program with federal mandates, and we gotta do some way to cheapen this thing up so that we can put more horsepower into the kids and lessen the paperwork and statistics and things like that."
Other candidates stressed related concerns. Mona Barnes said the district must put money "where it needs to be spent" and focus on fiscal responsibility. Rick Johnston said he would invite legislators to hear district needs and explore funding; Jones said he has already invited legislators to upcoming town halls so they can "hear from us" about the fiscal challenges special education creates.
Why it matters: Special education is governed by federal law and carries required services that can be expensive at the local level. Candidates' descriptions of rising caseloads and limited state support indicate a likely near-term budget pressure if caseloads continue to grow.
No board action was taken at the forum. Candidates recommended legislative outreach and increased personnel as ways to address capacity issues.
