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Superintendent update: special‑education spending, REACH placements and transportation encumbrances rise
Summary
Superintendent designee 'Jen' told the board October special-education activity included $30,000 to outside agencies, $216,000 encumbered for tuition lines, $162,000 encumbered at REACH (about $56,000 over anticipated), and $372,000 in transportation encumbrances as the district added a midday preschool run.
At the meeting the board received a superintendent update from 'Jen' on enrollment and recent special‑education and transportation expenditures.
Enrollment and special education: Jen said the district’s October count was 680 students and that the district remains "at 19%" in special‑education services. The district recorded $30,000 in outside‑agency special‑education spending for the month and $216,000 in combined tuition (public and private) encumbrances.
REACH placement and encumbrances: Jen explained that REACH — described in the presentation as a therapeutic day program used by the district — carried $162,000 in encumbrances, roughly $56,000 more than anticipated because of a student placement last spring.
Transportation increases: Jen said transportation encumbrances increased by $372,000 in October, driven in part by adding a small midday bus run for preschool students (the district specified the run was added to ensure seat belts and meet preschool seat requirements). Transportation aids for a program cited as Allstar increased to $136,000 (encumbrance).
State excess‑cost timing: The superintendent’s office said the district has budgeted excess‑cost reimbursement at 65% (budget line referenced as $997,000). Jen noted the district must submit this year’s excess‑cost information by Dec. 1 and expects to know more a few weeks after that; the first installment of excess‑cost funds is anticipated at the end of January or February.
Board questions focused on the timing and whether bus vendors could meet run needs; Jen said vendors have been able to add routes in past years and do so this year.
