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Money for special ed falls short School districts may have to help county program By Damian Mann Squeezed by state budget reductions and increasing costs, the Jackson Education Service District is grappling with a potential $1.8 million shortfall in funding for special education � a dilemma that could force school districts to scrape up the money to keep the program at current strength. The Medford-based agency, which provides special education and other programs to schools in Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties, began negotiations this week with 13 districts to boost funding and reduce costs to avoid possible reductions in staff. Paul Rickerson, director of Special Education Services, said much of an estimated $1.1 million in cutbacks will have to be borne by the three counties, stressing that specific amounts have not been finalized. Additionally, the state is threatening to slash another segment of the special education program next year that could result in a further reduction of about $700,000. "We are being squeezed," Rickerson said, adding that 72 percent of Jackson ESD�s $15 million general fund goes to special education. "The good news is that all superintendents are working together on this. There is a sense of harmony." Overall, Rickerson anticipates there could be an "equalization" of costs among districts. While some may have to contribute as much as $350,000 more than they do now, others could gain $250,000 in benefits to their programs. "This is not a done deal," he said. "It is a work in progress. We are moving into uncharted territory as we redesign things." Eagle Point District Superintendent William Jones said his district may need to provide an additional $300,000 to meet special education needs as a result of these cutbacks. "We�re wrestling with this problem," he said. "The number of students coming in to the (special education) program is outgrowing the revenue. We just can�t do business as usual anymore." With some students costing as much as $20,000 a year to teach, Jones said his district is looking at ways to change the program, perhaps allowing some disabled students to enter regular classrooms but with additional assistance. Some students who are not severely mentally handicapped could attend regular class, he said. Although this could work in theory, Jones said, it could harm other students. "That�s the problem," he said. "The advanced could suffer." Smaller districts, which can�t afford to set up the legally mandated special education program, would be especially hard hit if not for the education service district. "It would literally bring them to their knees," he said. Districts like Eagle Point have been heavy users of the Education Service District, and as a result they will have to kick in more money. Rickerson said, "As we equalize service to the 13 districts, some districts will need to pay for services that they received at no cost, while others will receive additional services they didn�t receive in the past." Rickerson said roughly half the 13 districts in the three-county area will need to spend more money. Severely disabled students, who often have multiple health problems, have particularly driven up costs. "Some of these kids are fragile," Rickerson said. "They are tube fed or have catheters. Medical technology has done wonders to save kids, but they are costly kids to educate." One of the strategies Rickerson and school administrators will undertake is how to redesign the system to make it cost less to operate. "If we do the same thing with the same enrollment growth, it costs an additional $1.4 million each year," Rickerson said. "We need to look at a way to provide appropriate special education services more cost effectively." Despite special education enrollment increases of about 14 percent annually, state funding for the Education Service District has remained relatively flat for five years. Overall enrollment at most districts has increased by an average 2 to 3 percent over the last five years. Rickerson said the 13 districts have been receiving about $9,000 to $10,000 a year in state funding for each student in the program but have not been required to use the money directly on these students, apart from transportation costs and providing a space in a classroom. Schools receive about $4,000 to $5,000 annually for regular students. The local ESD is the only one of 21 districts statewide that doesn�t receive funding directly from individual school districts, he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.