Region 15 Facing Special Education Shortfall: Report

The Pomperaug Region 15 Board of Education budgeted $1.717 million to cover special education outplacement costs.

The problem is expenses are projected to run in excess of $2.24 million, the Republican-American reports.

School officials anticipated 21 special education students this year and in reality there are 27 special education students, which is resulting in a projected $325,000 shortfall in the special education outplacement account.

To combat this shortfall, school officials have enacted a soft budget freeze, which means non-essential items will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the Rep-Am reports.

The state is expected to fund up to 80 percent of the tuition costs, which could greatly reduce the shortfall. But local officials say they are worried that the state may reduce its special education reimbursement to local districts.

Read the full Rep-Am report here.