Connecticut Senate Bill SB00199

Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/18
• Refer: 2/22/18

Caption

An Act Concerning Special Education Funding.

Impact

If enacted, SB00199 would fundamentally change how special education is funded, transitioning from a model that places heavy financial burdens on individual districts to one that distributes costs across the state. The cooperative would allow for a community contribution based on prior special education expenses, reducing the financial strain on districts, especially those with extraordinary needs. Furthermore, the bill promises to reimburse school districts fully for their actual special education costs incurred during a fiscal year, thus encouraging fair funding for special education programs statewide.

Summary

SB00199 is a legislative proposal that seeks to reform the funding mechanism for special education in Connecticut. The bill aims to establish a Special Education Predictable Cost Cooperative to help local and regional boards of education better manage the costs associated with providing special education services. By aggregating these costs at the state level, the bill intends to provide a more predictable financial framework that mitigates local volatility and disparities in funding. This initiative is designed to ensure that all school districts receive equitable support for their special education needs.

Contention

Several points of contention may arise regarding the implementation of SB00199. Proponents assert that the bill will lead to equitable funding and better resources for special education, addressing longstanding concerns over funding disparities between districts. However, critics may argue about the effectiveness of a cooperative model, questioning how it would be administered and whether it would be sustainable in the long term. There may also be concerns regarding the potential bureaucratic complexities involved in managing a cooperative versus the current fragmented approach to funding special education.