[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6321888,"mediaKeyId","2348602-6e19930ca914cbd0b03a53dd43e509ad","parentId",2348602,"title","Lawmakers probe rising special‑education costs as districts, private providers and RESCs push different fixes","audioSeconds",372,"startMs",583000,"endMs",955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348602-6e19930ca914cbd0b03a53dd43e509ad&start=583&end=955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348602-6e19930ca914cbd0b03a53dd43e509ad/thumbnail_583000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321888/Connecticut/Lawmakers-probe-rising-specialeducation-costs-as-districts-private-providers-and-RESCs-push-different-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321888-0325d51047cd7bd2d17faa0a81da1a1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157358&Signature=ozmx4FZhazmQXuabqZuDGC66EXVhzdRtMISGns6QuaeWDVBb2~Kj7Tq4zflH2jfiyOu-QzPsJGRGtFYS1UTLPeZwrE7t57llPAamOSjkxKKcgnFzjdheGao3k8gmLDmz40y7OO5lxaZjQuUP09ksq5C7OofohSmVtOApZUJnNzAjvOWHyoMOp~XdLgxB9Sm9C7WjuL7NpbYnMxf39sSjZHwMJ3VFgYKD1DaYOytdbWKaSJbIH1j4MpWFUoR5v8kzYgJKaUaq2MgOC1PiL5PlqklNsWGc~d8wOaaSHSnTbDz4CnKzJuzOtKiyfCAesdsnRfdIPemv~M8z1BGmo~M6yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Education Committee","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Legislators pressed state and local officials on how to slow rapidly rising special‑education costs during an Education Committee public hearing, as superintendents, regional education service centers and private approved special‑education programs described conflicting pressures.

Why it matters: Connecticut school districts reported steep year‑over‑year increases in special‑education tuition for outplaced students and rising transportation and related costs. Municipal budget officers and school leaders said the surge is unsustainable without additional state support; private and nonprofit program operators warned that arbitrary statewide rate caps would jeopardize the programs that serve the state’s highest‑need students.

State Department of Education testimony: CSDE officials and the hearing’s witnesses described a complex picture. The department acknowledged bills under discussion (including Senate Bill 12 44) that would provide grants for in‑district program development and asked for more resources to support rate‑setting studies and oversight. CSDE staff said the state is studying rate methodologies used elsewhere and working to develop approaches that avoid unintended closures.

Districts push for formula weight and predictable reimbursements: Hartford Public Schools officials urged the committee to add a special‑education weight to the state Education Cost Sharing formula, saying special‑education expenses consumed about a third of their total revenue and that the state’s excess‑cost reimbursement currently covers a very small share. Hartford’s chief financial officer estimated a 50% weight would yield roughly $16 million in additional revenue for the district.

Superintendents from smaller districts told the committee that outplacement costs have jumped dramatically. “In Derby, the average cost of our outplacements has gone from $92,000 per student to $158,000 in four years,” Superintendent Matt Conway testified, calling for rate predictability and better sharing mechanisms among districts.

Private schools and providers warn of closures if prices are capped: Leaders of nonprofit approved special‑education programs – which provide residential or day placements for students whose needs exceed nearby district capabilities – told lawmakers a state‑imposed price ceiling would likely force reductions in services or school closures. “If tuition rates are set prematurely or set too low, schools may not have the resources to provide support services,” said Lisa Gregory, CEO of Milestones Behavioral Services, noting many programs operate year‑round with high staffing costs.

Proposals and trade‑offs: Bills under consideration include a competitive grant program to build more in‑district programs and language directing CSDE to study and potentially set maximum tuition schedules for approved private special‑education programs. Advocates for rate limits argued for more accountability and reporting from private providers; providers warned that what looks like savings up front could raise long‑term costs if regional capacity shrinks and more students require more expensive out‑of‑state placements.

Transportation and administrative factors: Witnesses also highlighted transportation as an often‑hidden driver of cost and urged the state to explore regional arrangements and procurement strategies to reduce trip expenses. Several speakers urged more CSDE oversight of approved private programs, recommending annual site reviews and standardized reporting on staffing and restraint and seclusion data.

Next steps: Committee members asked CSDE to share its rate‑setting study and to work with stakeholders—including districts, RESCs and private providers—before considering statutory caps. Several legislators signalled interest in moving temporary relief funds into the excess‑cost grant in the near term while crafting longer‑term reforms.

Ending: The hearing left one clear conclusion: there is no single short‑term fix. Lawmakers face a choice between near‑term budget relief, long‑term rate and market reforms, and investments in local capacity that could reduce future outplacement demand.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Education Committee Public Hearing 2025-02-19","oneSentenceSummary","Education committee hearing focused on sharply rising outplacement and tuition costs for students with complex needs, with providers warning that rate caps could force closures and districts urging state action on reimbursement and in‑district capacity grants.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6321893,"Education Department backs bill requiring districts to adopt smart‑device rules for schools",297,517000,814000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348602-6e19930ca914cbd0b03a53dd43e509ad&start=517&end=814","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348602-6e19930ca914cbd0b03a53dd43e509ad/thumbnail_517000.jpg","/articles/6321893/Connecticut/Education-Department-backs-bill-requiring-districts-to-adopt-smartdevice-rules-for-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321893-91debbd20e41ab8f9a4334c5f830aad9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157358&Signature=GA7jQ7lfoc9013ee8Mktc1iPxGR1GtdSGKM7K8xLq3qXFZXS0am8w2dJDohUZK7EAZL35cYpDQmbP17TKqP4-6H97eOlzb0Q2nTT3lg-IKaeGZvZYW0StE2GCGTv9KBLYWJ-L~ODLTnkjORhlWTUiuibkIRkZ2xSV6DOo9Aicbds1IQtjUITVLBemgjZ7OZ4n4KgkQ0YG4qXJ1MOFTfaAn7vVLhmiTrVHSbyHhjYQwl6KPXVqX9NJdqnjCHThNdfHJl-mJHIcMTWpvYiI-1RclWWnxjKK8jW0vRYHIC4UH-EaFMPy4MJNuQY31MSFq4TEOf07wcX5KZP1tquS5K9KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Department of Education told the legislature on the record that it supports House Bill 6923, which would require local and regional boards of education to adopt policies limiting students’ in‑class use of smart devices.

The department’s written testimony and officials at the public hearing said the bill intends to make local adoption of tech‑use policies universal but preserve local control over the details. “The department is supportive as House Bill 6923, an act concerning the use of smart devices in schools,” Commissioner Charlene Russell‑Tucker told members of the Education Committee.

Why it matters: Legislators and educators said they want a consistent approach across districts to reduce classroom distractions and address student mental‑health concerns tied to social media, while still preserving students’ ability to access phones for safety and family communication outside instructional time.

At the hearing, the State Department of Education presented survey data suggesting most districts already have policies in place. John Frasinelli, Division Director at CSDE, told the committee his office had responses from nearly half of the state’s districts and said, “Over 90% of those respondents already have a policy in place regarding cell phones.” He also said many districts reported improvements in engagement and decreases in classroom disruptions after adopting policies.

Several legislators urged a measured approach that avoids an unfunded local mandate. Representative Kennedy asked whether the bill would become an unfunded mandate for municipalities; Commissioner Russell‑Tucker pointed to proposed budget support in the governor’s plan but said districts had adopted policies before state guidance in many cases.

Public comment included superintendents and teachers who said restrictive, clearly enforced policies reduced behavioral incidents and improved instruction; some emphasized the need for a local implementation window and student voice in policy development.

Where it goes from here: The committee discussed clarifying language to ensure districts keep local authority to design rules by grade band (elementary, middle, high school), and to avoid blanket prohibitions that could prevent students with legitimate needs from accessing devices when required. The bill does not contain final statewide enforcement language; committee staff indicated follow‑up drafting and fiscal review would be needed before any vote.

Ending: Lawmakers said they will weigh the policy’s classroom benefits against local fiscal and operational concerns in coming weeks as they consider whether to advance HB 6923 to a committee vote.","The State Department of Education told the legislature it supports House Bill 6923, which would require local districts to adopt policies restricting student use of smart devices during instructional time while leaving details to districts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers probe rising special‑education costs as districts, private providers and RESCs push different fixes

Education Department backs bill requiring districts to adopt smart‑device rules for schools