Special-education advocates urge sustained funding to meet growing needs
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Dr. Richard Riley, chair of the county Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee, thanked the board for recent investments and urged continued funding for staffing ratios, specialized instruction, retention incentives and services, saying about 1 in 7 Anne Arundel students receive special education services.
Dr. Richard Riley, chair of the Anne Arundel County Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee, told the board the district's investments in special education last year have had positive effects and urged continued, strengthened funding in the FY27 budget to maintain staffing, services and compliance with students' individualized education programs.
"Continued and strengthened funding for special education is not optional. It's essential," Riley said, noting that roughly 1 in 7 students in the district receive special education services and that needs are increasing in complexity. He highlighted staffing shortages, growing caseloads and rising service demands and recommended maintaining appropriate staffing ratios, investment in professional development, retention incentives for special education staff and expanded mental-health and behavioral supports.
Riley said these investments are foundational responsibilities and framed them as investments in equity and student dignity. The board did not take formal action during the hearing; Riley's comments will be part of the public record that board members use to formulate workshop questions and potential amendments.