Audit: Rising special-education costs and tuition spikes are straining Bristol Public Schools budget

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) auditors told the Bristol Board of Education on March 5 that a combination of rising outplacement tuition, growing professional-services costs and lower state reimbursement rates have produced recurring special-education budget shortfalls that are now stressing the district’s fiscal picture.

The board heard a high-level overview of CLA’s financial assessment for Bristol Public Schools covering fiscal years 2022–24 and an explanation of recommendations CLA says would improve budget controls and transparency. CLA analysts told the board that special-education costs have grown far faster than overall budgets in recent years and that tuition and provider rates have risen in the mid-teens percentage range year-over-year.

Why it matters: Special-education spending is a large and growing portion of the district’s outlays. Board members were told that without additional city funding and changes to budgeting and purchasing processes, the Board of Education will likely face decisions that reduce staffing or other services to balance the fiscal year 2026 request.

CLA’s findings presented to the board and district staff highlighted several drivers of budget overages: initial special-education budgets that were too low relative to actual need; outplacement…