Madison Finance Board Approves $180K Special Appropriation for Special Education Costs

MADISON, CT — When it comes to local school budgets one of the most biggest obstacles during a budget season is special education tuition costs.

Local school districts have no control over when someone moves into a district needing to utilize special education services, which can greatly impact the budget.

To help Madison better deal with that unpredictably the Board of Finance approved a special appropriation request of $180,000 to add to the reserve fund for unanticipated external placements for special education students for tuition and transportation services.

According to meeting minutes, Joseph MacDougald explained that the costs for Special Education are unpredictable and reserves must be set aside for these expenses.

Ms. Nobitz confirmed that the Board of Education had requested funds during the FY 15-16 and that the reserve had been reduced. She stated that this was the first major expense from this fund within the last five years.

Mr. Casparino asked if the Board should expect to see this type of expense next year and Ms. Nobitz stated that it cannot be projected accurately as costs are unpredictable. Mr. Pudlin confirmed that there are many variables each year which affect the cost for Special Education. He added that the Town of Madison has a very good Special Education program.

Mr. MacDougald reiterated the choices that the Board needed to make at this meeting and Ms. Tung suggested that the reserve be funded higher, to $200,000 to avoid a “pay-as- you-go” mentality. Mr. Pudlin responded that the Board could fund to the requested amount today and then review the reserve balance during the budget cycle. Mr. MacDougald agreed with this suggestion and stated that the Board should ask the Board of Education if the threshold should be updated.

On motion made by Mr. Pudlin, and seconded by Mr. MacDougald, the Board voted unanimously to approve a special appropriation request of $180,000 from the Madison Public Schools to add to the reserve fund for unanticipated external placements for Special Education students for tuition and transportation related services established by the Board of Finance, November 18, 2009; pending Board of Selectman and Town
Meeting approval.