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Pitman board highlights rising special-education and transportation costs, urges state action
Summary
Board leaders and the superintendent told the Pitman Board of Education that out-of-district placements and single‑pupil transportation contracts are driving high local costs and that state reimbursement rates are declining; the board said it has reached out to state legislators and supports bills to increase state financial responsibility.
The Pitman Board of Education heard an extended report from district leaders and its president about rising costs tied to out‑of‑district special‑education placements and transportation, and said the board has communicated those concerns to state legislators.
Board members and Dr. Preston told the board they had provided legislators with examples of high per‑pupil transportation contracts and private school tuition rates to frame the district’s budget pressures. The president said one single‑pupil transportation contract in a neighboring district was cited at $157,779 and that a tentative tuition rate at a private special‑education school elsewhere was cited at $182,000 a year. According to the presentation, the district received roughly a 50% reimbursement rate this year for extraordinary special‑education costs and is anticipating a 42% reimbursement rate next year.
“Those are real, recurring local costs that our taxpayers are covering while state reimbursement falls,” the board president said, urging continued advocacy.
The board said it has shared sample contracts and budget examples with legislators and staff, including offices of Senator Berselli and other county representatives, to press for changes in state funding practice. The board also reported sending a letter in support of Senate Bill 2620 and Assembly Bill 1197, which the board said would increase the state’s financial responsibility for students eligible for certain transportation services.
Why it matters: Board members said that, because some routes and placements can cost six‑figures, relatively small changes in state aid or reimbursement methodology can have large effects on the district’s local tax burden and budget planning.
What the board directed: The president and Dr. Preston described continuing outreach to legislators and regional partners, and the board asked administration to provide supporting contract samples and redacted budget data to advocates while protecting student privacy.
The meeting record shows the discussion concluded as the agenda moved on to routine approvals; no formal budget decision or vote on new local policy was taken at this session.
