We are distressed that some in town appear to think an independent financial audit of special education will produce a major reduction in the budget due to alleged wrongdoing. We hope that, as a town, we will be more forward thinking. While we believe that it is a natural and beneficial process for any department to be periodically audited, we do not expect this action to result in a quick fix to substantially lower SPED costs. It is our opinion that the need exists rather for long-term solutions for cost-effective special education, solutions that may include increasing staff and programs in our schools to allow more students to remain in district. One example of a long-term solution already undertaken is the integrated preschool. It is often very difficult for children to integrate at higher grades, so the preschool will allow some children to stay in the district longer, if needed staff and programs are in place. Unfortunately, bringing these programs in-district requires start-up costs that are often planned, then cut from budgets, resulting once again in out-of-district placements. While it would not be feasible to educate all special needs students in-district, an in-district education when possible benefits children by allowing them to remain with their peers, feel more a part of the community, and spend less time in transit, all the while potentially decreasing costs for the town.
Before any money is spent on an audit, we believe it is imperative for the whole town to see the exact, specific questions that the audit should answer. Information regarding SPED finances has already been presented numerous times, so clear articulation of questions would eliminate the possibility of an expensive duplication. We therefore hope any audit will be a healthy evaluation of special education processes, resulting in beneficial recommendations to decrease costs in the long term without sacrificing needed services to our students. We also sincerely hope that an audit will not be used in an adversarial manner to further divide our town.
Janet Zimmerman
for the Special Education Parent Advisory Council Steering Committee
