Special Education Funding----Weigh In!
by Bert Moore
February 18, 2008
Dear KASEA Membership:
Many of you have heard about the special education funding bills that are proposed including HB 2754 which would replace lost federal funding for Medicaid reimbursement and HB 2790 which would “…freeze special education aid to districts receiving more than 92 percent, but direct increases in funding to those below 92 percent until all districts and cooperatives reach that level” according to Mark Tallman’s latest update from KASB.
At the Special Education Advisory Council meeting this week I learned that our State Director of Special Education was asked to provide comment from KSDE on how to best fund special education at a recent hearing. Colleen replied that more time was needed to examine all of the issues and concerns that would arise through a change in special education funding across the state. In my opinion, she took the only course of action available that is reasonable; however, administrators of special education programs are now at the crossroads of reviewing our funding formula based on the legislative post-audit that was recently completed. In my opinion, if we do not provide a voice to changing the formula, the legislature will make a decision for us.
We need to review the consequences of changing the funding formula that would affect each of us. We have reviewed options in the past including Census and Weighted formulas, and many of us recall the reasons that KASEA would not support changing to these options. I propose that KASEA arrange a meeting with Dale Dennis where we can review the options.
How will changing the formula affect our staff arrangements? What happens when the Level 6 Psychiatric facility opens in our area on November 21 and we have a bus load of “big needs” students dropped off for “our” school based special education services, and adding staff results in a “local” expense if we switch from a personnel based formula? What are the options being looked at for changing the formula? Will it be a combination of personnel, and student weighting or based on census alone?
We need to act quickly prior to the legislature taking action. If you agree that a meeting is needed, please contact Ricardo Vieyra. Our time is running out to have a voice in this matter.
Bert Moore
