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Byram Hills board hears special services budget; district reports 1.6% increase and placement pressures
Summary
The Byram Hills Central School District presented a proposed 2025–26 special services budget with a 1.6% year-to-year increase, outlined continuing out-of-district placements and state funding changes affecting students who age out of services.
The Byram Hills Central School District Board of Education heard a presentation on the District—9s special services budget on March 11, 2025, as part of a series of budget hearings ahead of adoption this spring. Jill, the district's director of special services, told the board the proposed 2025—26 special services budget shows a 1.6% increase from the prior year.
Jill said the increase reflects contractual salary changes and shifting lines within the department. "There is no change in the equipment line," she said, and added that "there's a decrease in the contractual and other line, which is based on a reduction in budget for tuition and settlements," while BOCES services rose slightly based on projected student needs.
The district reported 329 students classified with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the October 2024 snapshot. Jill said the Committee on Special Education (CSE) currently has 16 students placed in out-of-district programs, including three residential placements, and that the district also accepts tuition-funded students from neighboring districts.
Jill described a recent change in New York State's funding practice for students who age out of standard services. "New York State has moved that a little bit to, funding students up to the day, and we as a district are funding students up to the day before they turn 22," she said. The shift means the district may cover services, including transportation, for days when state funding does not apply; Jill said that creates complications for finding and managing placement seats because students with birthdays may vacate placements mid-year.
Board members asked whether the district is pursuing additional in-district programs to reduce outplacements. Jill said the district, working with the Sound Shore consortium of special education directors, monitors cohorts and will create in-district special classes when the number and mix of students make it feasible. She noted multi-grade special classes exist in the high school and at Coleman Hill and said preschool-to-grade planning also factors into program design.
Jill also reviewed nursing and health services tied to special services: nurses staff each building and support students with medical needs and field trips. When a nurse cannot staff a bus or trip, she said staff call a staffing agency and contact parents; the district has recently expanded a pool of parent volunteers who serve as substitute nurses when permitted.
Why it matters: special services are a sizable, mandated portion of the district budget and directly affect students with IEPs and 504 plans. The board will consider this and other departmental budgets at upcoming hearings before proposed adoption and final vote this spring.
Board next steps: Byram Hills will hold two further budget hearings (March 25 and April 8), a proposed budget adoption session on April 22, a final hearing on May 6 and a budget vote on May 20, 2025, according to the schedule presented at the meeting.
