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Vermont special‑education leaders warn Act 73 weighting could jeopardize federal IDEA funding
Summary
Leaders from the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators told the Senate Education Committee that the Act 73 weighting model could underfund districts, risk maintenance‑of‑effort compliance under IDEA, and urged a per‑student special‑education weight and careful glide path for implementation.
Mary Lundeen, executive director of the Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators, told the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 3 that VCSEA’s focus is fiscal integrity to protect IDEA and students with disabilities as the state implements Act 73’s foundation formula.
"Our primary goal is to engage in a meaningful dialogue," Lundeen said, framing two central concerns for the committee: the special‑education weighting design within the new foundation formula and the development of cooperative education service agencies (CESAs).
Heather Freeman, director of student support services in the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union and VCSEA president‑elect, explained the federal maintenance‑of‑effort requirement under IDEA Part B. "It is our responsibility as LEAs to both budget…
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