The Department of Education’s 2015-17 biennium budget proposal includes an additional $74 million in general funds for the school year beginning July 1, 2015. A large portion of those extra monies are intended to cover increased costs for bus transportation, utilities (like electricity, water and sewer), and food services.
SPIN took a look at the budget description and found some items of interest under EDN 150 (special education designated funding) as well as funding in other areas that will impact students with disabilities. Additional Weighted Student Funding (WSF) will help to maintain the level of school services for ALL students while enrollment goes up. Monies for the Executive Office on Early Learning’s preschool program will hopefully expand options for including preschoolers with disabilities with their non-disabled peers. And monies set aside for expanding recruitment and retention incentives may help to fill the large number of vacant special education teacher and EA positions across the state.
