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Board presses staff on special education funding, reserves and substitute wages amid rising costs
Summary
Board members sought clarity about special education funding assumptions, proposed reserve uses, and a staff recommendation to add $2 million for substitutes and reduce assumed turnover savings; staff said additional targeted reserves and contract mixes were included but the district would still not reach full staffing formulas.
Board members asked detailed questions on May 27 about how proposed budget adjustments would affect special education service levels and staffing.
What staff presented: staff said the FY26 proposal includes additional budgeted amounts for special education placement and contracted services: $7,000,000 for nonpublic placements, about $1,100,000 for additional contracted services, and $1,750,000 set aside for strategic improvements in special education. A board member asked whether the budget assumes ongoing increases in identified students and Individualized Education Program (IEP) needs; staff replied the budget includes assumptions but will not staff to full formula.
Substitutes and turnover: staff recommended increasing the substitute teacher wage budget by $2,000,000, saying substitute overages have exceeded budget expectations…
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