Connecticut Senate Bill SB00430

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/11
• Refer: 1/21/11

Caption

An Act Concerning Excess Costs And State Special Education Funding.

Impact

The bill is poised to significantly impact how local and regional school districts budget and allocate resources for special education. By enforcing a standard on the financial responsibility for excess costs, SB00430 aims to alleviate the financial strain on local districts, potentially leading to more robust support for special education services. As these local boards are required to bear certain costs, the legislation may encourage more strategic financial planning and prioritization of special education within the districts, ensuring that funds are properly allocated to support students with special needs.

Summary

SB00430, titled 'An Act Concerning Excess Costs And State Special Education Funding,' proposes amendments to the existing regulations around the financial responsibilities of local and regional boards of education regarding special education instruction costs. Specifically, it intends to make these boards financially responsible for the reasonable costs of special education as determined by the State Board of Education. The bill categorizes such costs into two distinct funding levels: one times the average per pupil educational costs for state agency-placed students and four and one-half times for locally-placed students. This adjustment aims to ensure equitable funding mechanisms for special education across varying jurisdictions within the state.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding SB00430 include concerns over the sufficiency of funding levels established by the bill and the implications for budget constraints faced by local and regional boards. Stakeholders may argue that the imposed financial responsibility could create inequities if districts vary widely in their financial health and resources. There may also be debates regarding whether the prescribed funding levels adequately reflect the true costs of delivering appropriate and effective special education services, emphasizing the need for ongoing assessments and possible adjustments to funding formulas as necessary.