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Simsbury schools say enrollment is stable but special‑education costs remain a pressure; new program expected to help
Summary
Superintendent Matt Curtis told the joint meeting enrollment projections are stable but special‑education costs have risen; he said a new in‑district program opening in January is expected to reduce costly outplacement expenses over time.
Superintendent Matt Curtis told the joint boards that district enrollment projections for the next five years are broadly stable, which reduces pressure for new staffing tied to enrollment growth but also limits the natural attrition that can reduce payroll costs.
Curtis said special‑education costs have been the district’s most significant pressure in recent years, driven by both internal staffing and more expensive outplacements. He reported that projections in this area have stabilized and that the district plans to open a new in‑district program in January that is expected to provide tuition‑earning capacity and to reduce some outplacement costs over time.
Curtis cautioned that while the program should help, special education remains volatile and that savings are not immediate. Board members said preliminary modeling and long‑range maintenance cost estimates for major school projects remain outstanding; the BOE confirmed it is not yet prepared to place a large capital project on the five‑year plan until further vetting and public forums take place.
The BOE and town staff agreed to provide additional modeling and cost estimates upon request so the finance and selectmen boards can include realistic scenarios in their budget guidance.
