Special education costs rising, funding not keeping pace

Star Journal file photo

SDR using creativity to find balance

By Eileen Persike

Editor

RHINELANDER – The School District of Rhinelander, like many schools in Wisconsin, is finding it more and more challenging to cover costs of programs and services for students with Individualized Education Programs. These programs are mandated by the federal government through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  Wisconsin School districts, however, are only reimbursed for 32% of those costs by the state.

“Costs have gone through the roof so now it’s almost a million dollars more from one year to the next that we’re transferring from our regular budget,” said Eric Burke, SDR superintendent. “That’s a significant hit for a $32 million budget, to be transferring $5 million out of it to special education.”

That means $5 million of non-required programs for the general population may be on the chopping block if funding is not increased.

BUDGET DEFICIT

At the April school board meeting, Burke announced that any savings the district saw due to the mild winter – less snow plowing, savings in fuel and natural gas – was virtually eliminated with the increase costs in not only special education, but reduced state and federal funding for programs including achievement gap reduction and mental health. It’s all adding up to a budget deficit for SDR.

“After making many staff reductions, mainly through attrition, and reducing our service contracts, for example, CESA, we still expect another deficit of approximately $1 million,” Burke said. The $1 million will come out of the district’s fund balance.

Earlier this year State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly suggested the legislature could use some of the record high $7 billion state surplus to help local school districts address challenges in their budgets.

“We must set partisanship aside and invest in our public schools and the future of our kids,” Underly said. “I am calling today for the state to increase its contribution to local districts and raise the special education reimbursement rate to 60%.”

State Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) said it’s never too early to start the public school funding discussion, but noted the next budget will not be unveiled until January.

“However, this session we made a historic increase in public school funding which included $100 million towards special education,” Swearingen wrote to the Star Journal. “While utilizing surplus funds to alleviate this burden is one approach, I am committed to exploring comprehensive solutions that address the underlying funding need and provide sustainable support for years to come.”

Swearingen requested $750,000 in the current budget for a school in Minocqua that specializes in working with diverse learners. Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the request. The Star Journal asked whether Swearingen’s request means he believes there is a need for increased special education funding.

“Lakeland STAR provides many unique services for students, unlike any other school in our area,” Swearingen replied. “This is why I will continue to champion support for the Lakeland STAR and its ability to serve more students in the Northwoods.

“Our historic investments have demonstrated dedication to this cause, but there is still work to be done. I remain steadfast in my commitment to advocating for initiatives that promote the well-being and success of all students, including those with special needs.”

“I think the average person in our community understands that the state is not doing their part in funding public schools, especially in this case, special education,” Burke said. “Then it impacts everything – all the kinds of programs we want to offer.”

IN THE MEAN TIME

District administration continues to look for ways to cut costs and maintain or improve programs and services, Burke said. On May 20, the school board will hear about a plan to expand programming for elementary and middle school students.  SDR director of learning supports, Richard Gretzinger, said at a committee meeting May 6 his department has been looking at student needs that are not being addressed, and what it would take to allow them to be successful.

The expanded elementary program would be available to students with IEPs with particular behavior concerns, while the middle school program would focus on supporting emotional regulation, AODA concerns, and academic success, among other things.

The programs can be added and also save money for the district, Gretzinger said. That would entail terminating a contract with the Northern Achievement Center in Merrill, where several elementary students are transported four days a week at a cost of over $31,000 per student. Those students would be moved into what is currently the Journeys building by JWMS, as Journeys seeks a new location.

“I’m trying to create something that is going to be more economically sufficient for us into the future and also keep our students home,” Gretzinger said.

 Instead of traveling to Merrill, they would stay in Rhinelander, keeping them connected to case managers, administration, buildings and it would be more “fluid” allowing students to spend part of the day in school and in this program, he added.

This would save the district almost $350,000 annually, when including the costs associated with transportation and paying the teaching assistant who drives the students to Merrill. The cost of adding two full time staff would cost roughly $200,000, SDR Business Services Director Bob Thom said.

The board will vote on a recommendation to approve the hiring of a lead teacher position to oversee both the expanded elementary and middle school programs and a special education teacher for the elementary programming to begin in the 2024-25 school year.