Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Special education, a partially-funded mandate by the federal government, is rising as an important issue in school districts across the state. At over 25%, NH has the highest percentage of students identified in special education, with individual education plans (IDEA) and section 504 plans (ADA)–causing commensurate increases in school district budgets to cover these “required” expenses.
However, many Granite Staters, including many school board and budget/finance committee members, have only a passing knowledge of special education and how it is supposed to work. SAU and school administrators often keep most details of special education to themselves and “protect” it. The NH Legislature recognized the problem of rising special education expenditures and has passed 2025 SB57, creating a commission to study the costs of special education that will report results by July 1, 2026. This webinar will cover the fundamentals of special education (IEPs, 504 plans, staffing, services, disputes, etc.), the challenges, and the opportunities.
One solution to help reduce special education costs is to be more efficient in delivering services and recouping all eligible aid. In October, SDGA presented a plan to consolidate SAUs at the county level to a committee also chartered by SB57. This plan, favored by the committee, will provide many benefits including increase of local control by having school boards work directly with building principals on important issues of student achievement, curriculum, courses of study, and policy, while delegating non-education business functions to the county SAUs. The county SAUs show great promise for optimizing special education delivery, reducing costs, and ensuring that all school districts large and small apply for and receive all federal and state aid for which they are eligible. The SDGA plan is now in HB1804 this session, enhancing local control and greatly reducing education administrative costs. This webinar will also cover details of this important plan and legislation.
Eric Pauer, SDGA President, will conduct the webinar.
Advanced registration is free but required to receive a Zoom link, which registrants can expect on February 22.
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