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District cites 23% IEP rate, rising out‑of‑district tuition as major driver of special education budget
Summary
The special services presenter said the special education budget is $60.4 million (≈8% increase), with about 3,200 students on active IEPs (≈23% classification rate), 142 out‑of‑district placements, and tuition up about 13.8%, which administrators called a primary cost driver.
The board heard that the proposed special services budget for 2026–27 is $60,400,000, a rise of roughly $4.5 million (about 8%). The presenter said the increase is driven by student need, higher tuition rates at private schools for the disabled, increased charter school tuition costs, and an increase in out‑of‑district placements.
"Currently, we are serving approximately 3,200 students with active IEPs, which is about a 23% classification rate," the special services presenter (speaker 7) said, and she added that the state average classification rate is about 15%. The presenter said the district has 142 students placed out of district and that tuition costs increased by about 13.8% (roughly $1.6 million).
Board members asked for per‑pupil cost examples; the presenter replied with ranges: general education per‑pupil cost cited at about $16,000; intensive in‑district programs roughly $75,000–$80,000; out‑of‑district tuition around $150,000 (sometimes excluding transportation). Administrators said they are investing in in‑district programming to reduce future out‑of‑district placements, and that planning for a Special Education Academy at Intermediate North will continue in 2026–27 with a target launch in 2027–28.
