New London School Board approves regular open enrollment but closes special‑education slots

The New London School District Board voted Jan. 7 to accept regular‑education open‑enrollment applications for the 2026–27 school year while denying special‑education open‑enrollment requests, citing staffing capacity.

Sarah Johnson, who presented the district’s annual space‑availability recommendation, told the board the district reviewed current enrollment, staffing and caseload thresholds and determined regular‑education seats are available across grades and buildings. “We are able to remain open for students who are regular‑education students in all grades and buildings,” she said.

Johnson said the district examined special‑education program capacity, staffing mixes and therapy services and concluded there are no openings in those special‑education levels for next year. The recommendation to deny special‑education open‑enrollment requests is consistent with prior practice, she said.

A board member read the motion to accept regular‑education open‑enrollment and recognize that special‑education requests will be denied due to staffing limitations. Another board member seconded the motion; the board voted in favor.

The decision affects families seeking transfer into the New London School District: regular‑education applicants will continue to be considered under the district’s open‑enrollment process; requests seeking special‑education services that would increase existing caseloads will be denied until staffing capacity changes. The board did not specify the total number of anticipated open‑enrollment seats or the precise caseload thresholds in the public discussion.

Board members said they would follow the district’s established process for notifying applicants and will revisit the status if staffing or program capacity changes ahead of the enrollment cycle.