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RSU 26 weighs joining state cohort to bring preschool special education services into district
Summary
Board heard staff outline 2023 legislation shifting child-find and preschool special education to school districts by July 1, 2028; the district has applied to cohort 2 for 2025-26, but board members raised capacity and funding concerns despite per-student allocations.
RSU 26 staff presented options and trade-offs for taking on early childhood special education services under a 2023 law that will transition child-find and preschool special education responsibilities to school districts by July 1, 2028.
The presenter (S3) summarized the timeline and delivery models the state envisions: districts can opt into yearly cohorts, contract with local providers, send providers to community sites, or serve students in-district. "By 07/01/2028, all of these services will be transitioned over to school districts," S3 said, describing the cohort timeline and the district'level readiness process.
Staff noted the district currently has 12 preschool-aged children receiving services through the regional CDS provider, but that districts who've joined cohort 1 have often seen that number roughly double once responsibilities shift. The district described a mixed-delivery model and said an initial application for cohort 2 has been filed so the district can opt out later if needed.
Board members raised several operational concerns: the need for additional SAU administrative support to manage referrals and billing; difficulty recruiting school psychologists and skilled providers; whether the state'provided per-student funding will remain adequate over time; and the risk that rural areas could be especially strained if provider capacity proves insufficient.
Staff outlined the financing approach as a per-student allocation with quarterly true-ups and the ability to request additional funding for high-cost placements. One district presenter said the per-student allocation is "around 11,000 per kid," which board members used to model potential budgets.
Staff recommended pursuing cohort 2 interest now to gain experience and to position the district to advocate for funding; board members asked staff to return with a proposal that includes projected staffing, administrative resources, and an accounting plan to ensure the district captures all reimbursable costs.
Next steps: staff will refine a proposal with staffing and cost projections, pursue additional regional conversations, and report back to the board for a firm decision before July 1.
