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Special education child count up slightly while funding falls, Lake Central reports
Summary
Director of Student Services reported an approximate increase of about 50 special-education students despite a districtwide enrollment decline of about 65; however, funding across categories declined, producing an unusual net funding decrease that staff attributed to recent state adjustments and data issues in the new IEP system.
Lake Central's Director of Student Services reported the district completed its annual special-education child count on Dec. 1 and provided preliminary funding implications to the board.
The presenter said the district's child count shows a modest increase — about 50 additional special-education students — while overall district enrollment decreased by about 65 students this year. The presenter described data challenges in the district's new IEP program that delayed signoff and noted the counts are "approximate" until state sign-off, which was pushed to the following Friday.
Funding calculations tied to the census (APC funding and Part B grant formulas) showed decreases in dollar amounts across funding categories despite the higher count in the district's highest-need group (group 1). The presenter said the district saw an 18-student increase in group 1 (the highest funding level) and a 14-student decrease in group 2, while group 3 (speech/language) can generate double counts if listed as a secondary disability.
"This is a first in my time in special education that we have seen a decrease in funding," the presenter said. Board members asked whether federal Part B grants changed; the presenter said the federal contribution is limited to Part B funding and that state-level changes produced the unexpected decrease.
Staff will continue to monitor and finalize counts once sign-off is complete; the board did not take any direct funding action during the meeting.
