Board may seek special-ed funds

The state school board might ask the Legislature for $2.3 million to help teach disabled students in public schools — a move indicating the political firestorm over a private special education voucher bill is rekindling.

The board will discuss the possibility today as it shapes next year's budget request. While a state official makes a practical case for the new money, political overtones come through.

"Last year, HB115, Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship, brought to light the high costs involved in educating children with severe disabilities," state associate superintendent Patrick Ogden states in a memo to the board.

"As the Legislature again contemplates funding private educational opportunities for disabled children, consideration should be given to fully funding the costs of educating severely disabled children attending public schools before it considers providing funding for children who attend private schools."

The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires children to receive a free and appropriate public education. The guarantee can be expensive.

Consider: The average spent per student in Utah is about $4,500. Last year, Utah school districts spent more than $15,000 per student on 352 special needs children, Ogden reports. And the average spending on each of those children was $21,500, for a total cost of $7.6 million.

The state currently gives just $150,000 to help school districts shoulder those costs, Ogden says.

He proposes the state school board seek an extra $2.3 million to cover educational costs above $15,000 per student.

Ogden says the request has legal and practical grounds. Inadequate state funds could, though illegally, shortchange students on services they're entitled to. On the other hand, some districts with lots of special needs students might end up shortchanging the educational program for everyone else.

Politics are also coming into play.

Last year, legislators passed the $1.4 million HB115, giving government vouchers worth up to $5,400, based on the severity of the disability, for students with disabilities to attend a private school that best fits their needs.

The bill was named after Carson Smith, son of Cheryl Smith, who attends the highly regarded Carmen B. Pingree School for Children with Autism in Salt Lake City.

But some advocates for people with disabilities and public education officials fear the bill could invite lawsuits and limits recipients to Wasatch Front residents, where most private schools are located.

The state school board asked Gov. Olene Walker to veto the bill. She did. And a political firestorm ensued.