Minuteman Supt. Supports Increased Circuit Breaker Funding

School Superintendents are Hoping the State will Plug a Critical Gap in Special Education Funding

LEXINGTON – Minuteman Superintendent Dr. Edward Bouquillon is joining colleagues from across the state commending lawmakers on Beacon Hill for voting to address a critical shortfall in special education funding. Last week, the House of Representatives approved money to repay a greater portion of special education costs for the remainder of this school year.

The funding plan, known as the Circuit Breaker, now needs approval from the Massachusetts Senate and a signature from Governor Charles D. Baker.

The Circuit Breaker program was started in FY 2004. It reimburses local school districts a portion of their costs above a certain threshold for educating high-need special education students. The program aims to pay 75 percent of the costs. Last week’s House vote approved funding at 72 percent.

“I’m hopeful that the Senate will follow the House’s lead and allocate additional funding for the Circuit Breaker,” said Dr. Bouquillon. “Increasing funding for special education is important, and this line-item is especially important to my colleagues in non-vocational school districts.”

The House included additional Circuit Breaker funding in a $12.5 million supplemental budget.

If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, the package will allow cities and towns to reduce their budget shortfalls.