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RSU 67 staff outline plan to bring behavioral special education students back into district to cut tuition and transportation costs
Summary
Special education and facilities leaders proposed creating an in‑district behavioral program, using vacant district office space and existing contracted services to cut out‑of‑district tuition and transportation costs; presenters said savings could be substantial but staffing and lease costs must be resolved first.
District special education and facilities staff presented a proposal March 18 to create an in‑district special education behavior program designed to reduce costly out‑of‑district placements and lengthy daily transportation.
Mary Bridge, special education director, framed the proposal as an opportunity to bring behavioral students back into district classrooms and provide small‑group, project‑based programming. Bridge said the district currently sends students to about five outside programs and that “bringing them back” would improve access to peers and community integration while potentially improving instructional continuity.
Andy Edwards, the district’s facilities and transportation director, presented detailed cost and logistics estimates. He said daily van routes to Orono, Bangor and other providers amount to roughly 128,000 miles per year across routes described in the presentation. Edwards estimated direct annual transportation costs (drivers, fuel) at about $70,000 and projected a 10‑year transportation cost of roughly $700,000. He also said fiscal year 2025 out‑of‑district tuition was about $575,000 and close to $600,000 in the current year.
Presenters said transitioning one out‑of‑district program back into district care could save an estimated $456,000; combined tuition savings and reduced transportation costs could offset additional rent and utilities if the district rents the currently half‑vacant building it occupies on Airport Road. The owner has proposed terms for renting the entire building, presenters said, and the owners indicated willingness to negotiate affordable lease arrangements.
Program design presented to the board would start small (five to six students) with two cohort groups (grades 1–5 and 6–10), each staffed by a lead teacher, edtechs and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or similarly certified behavioral health professional. Contracted services such as BCBA, occupational therapy, speech and physical therapy would continue under existing contracts and would not necessarily be additional district costs, presenters said. Constraints named by staff include hiring enough special education staff, providing specialized training, and finalizing budgeting and lease agreements.
Presenters described potential early timelines that could allow a program to begin as early as the coming summer, contingent on staffing and lease negotiations. District staff committed to posting the PowerPoint slides and other materials on the district website and drive for board and public review.
The board did not vote on the proposal at the March 18 meeting; presenters sought the board’s feedback and permission to continue developing cost estimates, staffing plans and lease details.
