BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & CHLOE YOUNG
Breaking it down
Going forward
Special education funding On average, many districts spend more on special education than they receive, according to local districts.
Despite increased costs, LISD officials said they are committed to improving their services. The district’s next big investment is a new 18-plus program facility for adult special education students opening in 2025. In LTISD, district officials are holding listening sessions with staff and engagement nights with families regarding special education, Freeman said. “We’re really trying to strengthen our partnerships and education with our families ... [to] make a really comprehensive plan as far as improvement,” she said. Local education foundations are also looking to lessen the special education funding gap. In April, two EISD parents created the Special Education Endowment Fund through the Eanes Education Foundation that has $130,000 as of August, which will go toward: • Professional development and training • Teacher recruitment/mentoring support • Inclusive extracurricular programs
The amount of special education funding EISD receives has not changed much over the past decade, Scott said. While the district receives $11,000-$12,000 per student annually, it spends over $20,000. Further funding challenges came last year when a federal audit found the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received funding for some services that were billed improperly. LTISD lost nearly $285,236, while EISD lost around $448,000, per Texas HHSC documents. LISD was notified it owed HHSC $183,000 when it expected to receive $7 million, LISD Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape said. The reduction has created uncertainty among districts on which student services are covered, said Jennifer Freeman, LTISD executive director for special services.
Funds received Funds spent
$80M
$64M
$48M
$32M
$16M
0
EISD
LTISD
LISD
SOURCES: EANES ISD, LAKE TRAVIS ISD, LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Open positions Districts have reported difficulty in filling special education roles. As of Sept. 13, each district had special education openings in the following areas:
Diving in deeper
Legislative priorities
Zemo said filling EISD special education teacher aide positions is the program’s “biggest area of work,” though hiring has improved in the last year. To limit its fiscal year 2024-25 budget shortfall, LTISD cut around 24 vacant positions and $580,000 in contracted services for special education, accord- ing to district documents. The district started the school year with 16 vacant special education teacher and aide positions. “We’re facing some challenges just in general with filling special education positions. To have that increase in [special education] caseload can be a little bit difficult,” Freeman said.
Ahead of the 89th Texas legislative session in January, district officials are compiling a list of priorities outlining more funding for:
Teacher or Resource Teacher
Instructional Assistant or Aide
Professional Support
Special needs services
Eanes ISD
1
0
0
Mental health resources and staffing
Lake Travis ISD
4
8
8
Unfunded safety mandates
Leander ISD
Increase to the basic allotment per student
5
13
34
SOURCES: EANES ISD, LAKE TRAVIS ISD, LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: EANES ISD, LAKE TRAVIS ISD, LEANDER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
WORK. STORE. PLAY.
OFFERED BY
SMALLER, MORE AFFORDABLE, FLEXIBLE SPACE PERFECT FOR BUSINESS, CREATIVE OFFICE, STUDIOS, SHOWROOM, WAREHOUSE, DISTRIBUTION, FABRICATION OR A MAN CAVE!
Scan here!
15431 FITZUGH ROAD, DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX 78621
512-522-4833
info@personalwarehouse.com www.PersonalWarehouse.com
For Sale / Lease in Dripping Springs - January 2025
39
LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook