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Board hears request to add $846,701 to CREC out-of-district special-education contract
Summary
The special-education department requested Amendment No. 1 to a CREC out-of-district placement agreement, adding $846,701.83 to a prior $985,790 contract (total ~ $1.832M) to cover tuition increases and a midyear placement; commissioners pressed for details on services, cost drivers and state reimbursement.
The Waterbury Board of Education reviewed a requested Amendment 1 on Jan. 8 from the special-education department to an existing out-of-district placement agreement with the Capital Region Education Council (CREC). Tracy Menez, presenting the request, said the original three-year agreement (executed Oct. 4, 2024) was not to exceed $985,790 and that the amendment would add $846,701.83 to cover increased tuition rates and one student placed midyear, bringing the contract total to about $1,832,491.83.
Commissioners sought detail about why the additional funds were necessary and what services the district is paying for. Presenters said out-of-district placements include tuition plus related services—nursing (including 24/7 nursing for medically fragile students), occupational and physical therapy, speech services, and 1:1 staffing in some cases—driving large costs. A board member asked whether money follows a student when they transfer; staff stated that once a student moves into the district the district assumes responsibility for services and costs, and that current reimbursement rules fall short of covering full excess costs.
Board members and staff emphasized advocacy at the state level to increase the excess-cost reimbursement rate and to regulate provider rate increases. The superintendent and special-education staff said they would provide a snapshot of services covered by contracts and continue to press legislators for fuller reimbursement.
No formal vote on the amendment was recorded in the workshop transcript; staff said they would provide exact dates and return the item for board action if required by federal placement timelines.
