Rep. Callahan Backs $40M in Special Education Funding, Calls for Greater Action

HARTFORD— State Representative Patrick Callahan (R-108) on Monday voted in favor of an additional $40 million in special education funding to help Connecticut municipalities cover costs through the current fiscal year. However, he warned that this stopgap measure falls far short of what’s needed to prevent further financial strain on local property taxpayers.

“This additional $40 million doesn’t fully funding this rising cost. It’s one of the biggest expenses that our districts take on and there is money available in the FY 25 surplus to take the burden off our municipalities,” said Rep. Callahan.

Callahan and House Republicans had proposed a budget adjustment last April that included $79 million to fully fund the special education Excess Cost Grant for the first time since 2009. The grant is essential for helping municipalities manage extraordinary special education expenses, including out-of-district placements. However, Democrats in the legislature ignored the Republican plan, choosing instead to leave the budget unbalanced while allocating $245 million in federal ARPA funds to higher education. Since then, special education costs have only continued to rise.

Before supporting the $40 million measure, Callahan and House Republicans introduced an amendment to provide the full $108 million needed to cover special education excess costs statewide.

Democrats rejected the amendment along party lines, 96-48.

Through the final bill, New Fairfield is estimated to receive $ 570,284; New Milford will receive $ 2,139,832; Sherman will receive $109,068; and Danbury is projected to receive $2,075,922.

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