The Special Education Funding Committee approved the minutes of its Sept. 3, 2025 meeting and directed staff to assemble follow‑up materials on three priority topics: teacher recruitment and retention (including higher‑education pathways and non‑traditional routes), outcome and accountability measures for special‑education services, and regional or shared service models (including facility‑based continuum options).

Motion and approval: Representative Jonas moved to approve the minutes of the committee's Sept. 3, 2025 meeting; Vice Chair Axman seconded. Chair Richter called for the question: "All those in favor," the committee answered "Aye." "Opposed, same sign. Hearing none, minutes are approved," he said. The committee recorded no roll‑call tally; the approval was by voice.

Follow‑up requests: Committee members emphasized three areas for staff research and possible briefings at the next meeting:

- Teacher supply and workforce: Members asked for analysis of why candidates are not entering or staying in teaching and for examples of state incentives, alternative certification or para‑to‑teacher programs. Representative Varshi and others asked for involvement of higher‑education institutions and the State Board for Educator Preparation to explain program pipelines and obstacles.

- Outcome and accountability measures: Members sought examples of states that link funding to outcome expectations (not punitive mandates) or provide public dashboards showing per‑student and per‑school expenditures by category.

- Regional service models and continuum of care: Members asked staff to gather examples of regional or multi‑district service centers, shared units for low‑incident disabilities, and facility‑based or residential continuum elements that states fund at the regional or state level.

Next meeting and schedule: Members asked staff to schedule a follow‑up meeting in late February or March to hear higher‑education programs and recruitment/retention proposals, along with regional service examples. No policy votes were taken during this meeting.

Source: Committee proceedings and recorded motion (transcript).