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District faces rising special‑education costs and a multi‑million budget gap; administration outlines in‑district options
Summary
District staff told the board special‑education enrollment and complexity are growing (IEPs ~21.9% of enrollment), out‑of‑district placements and consortium classrooms are expensive (averages cited: $35k–$85k per pupil), and the draft 2027 budget shows an operational gap of about $6.0M after one‑time draws; administration recommended expanding in‑district programs and hiring psychologists and paraprofessionals to reduce outsized placement costs.
Director of Business Operations Mike Statler and special‑education leadership presented a draft 2027 budget and a special‑education overview. Administration said the draft budget totals approximately $125.8 million with a projected $8.4 million gap; $2.3 million of that gap is a planned, one‑time draw from assigned fund balance for K–8 capital, producing an operational gap of roughly $6.0 million.
Special education was a…
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