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Special-education costs driving Lewiston’s budget higher, director warns
Summary
The district’s special-education budget has risen to about $39 million; director Kirsten Cross said out-of-district tuition, transportation and related services are the primary drivers and that in‑district programs (Climb, RISE) have reduced some costs but vacancies and MaineCare formulas leave the district absorbing large shares.
Kirsten Cross, Lewiston’s director of special education, told the school committee that Article 2 of the FY27 budget is the largest pressure point: special education now accounts for about 30% of the district’s budget and has grown from roughly $34 million last year to $39 million in the current proposal.
Cross said three factors explain most of the increase: tuition for special-purpose private schools (outplacements), higher transportation costs and increased related-service charges (speech,…
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