Manitowoc board sets four elementary special-education open-enrollment slots, cites state funding change

At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Manitowoc School Board voted to notify the state that the district has four special-education open-enrollment spaces at the elementary level for the 2026-27 school year and that other grade bands are closed to new open-enrolled students with disabilities.

District staff explained the decision was driven by a change in how the state reimburses districts for nonresident students with disabilities. "The state began reimbursing non resident school districts a flat rate for educating non resident open enrolled pupils with disabilities," Speaker 2 said, noting that the flat-rate model replaced an earlier approach that could reimburse districts for higher individual costs. The presenter added that the flat rate "doesn't necessarily cover the cost of educating those students."

The board heard how the district uses a workload matrix to project staffing and service needs by level of need (minimal, moderate, extensive, comprehensive) and to calculate a student-teacher score that informs space availability. Speaker 2 said early-childhood special-education services are closed: the district has "22 special education evaluations in the hopper at the EC level" and, if all those students qualify, the number could "roll over" to 52 on current staffing.

At the elementary level, Speaker 2 said the district can offer limited space only to students who require minimal supports as defined by the district (less than 25% of time in the special-education setting). "We would have 4 spaces available at the elementary level given our consolidation," Speaker 2 said. Board members sought clarification about whether an admitted out-of-district student would be guaranteed the slot; Speaker 2 replied the district's open-enrollment policy means that "once you're in, you're in until the next level," and students must reapply at transitions between levels.

Board members also discussed enrollment volatility: the presenter said the district had 54 move-ins and 4 move-outs of students with disabilities during the prior fall, a pattern used to set move-in allowances in the formula.

A motion to accept the administration's space-availability recommendation was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the chair later characterized the vote as unanimous. The district will notify the state of its 2026-27 special-education open-enrollment availability as approved.

The board was clear that the availability decision is fixed for the 2026-27 school year and that the state could request documentation of the district's process if a family contests an open-enrollment decision.