Elmer
UPDATED, March 20: Alison Elmer, unanimously approved as Arlington’s new director of special education, faces a number of issues in the long-unfilled position.
The administrator — who is coming from Reading and was introduced to the committee March 6 — has one problem that is largely beyond her control — a sharp increase in spending on children with special needs.
Such costs are expected by June 30 to be $1.2 million more than was budgeted, but the schools’ chief financial officer says town and school reserves will cover the problem.
No need to adjust budget
Diane Fisk Johnson, the CFO, told the School Committee on Thursday, March 13, that there is no need to adjust the budget, approved that night, in the light of these numbers.
In a March 10 memo to the committee, Johnson wrote: “As the school year is moving into its final phase, we have become aware of some troubling trends in special education. While we reported months ago that out-of-district tuition was running in excess of budget by $700,000, it has taken more time for other expense factors to become clear.
In special-education outside service providers and transportation, she wrote, “we have seen a disturbing trend. Additional out-of-district placements and more homeless students account for the increase in transportation costs.
“Increases in the need for specialized supports for students, particularly in the areas of behavioral support, nursing and vision services, have led to a dramatic increase in these costs.”
The $700,000 spike was reported in November.
CFO: Reserve will cover
Her memo notes the $1.2 million figure over budget in special education by the end of the fiscal year. “Let me add that we have reserves, both with the town and on our own side, to cover this overage, so that the School Department as a whole will end the year on budget,” she wrote. “We will continue to monitor this situation closely.”
Johnson was asked March 14 to spell out how the town and school reserves stand. Johnson, who was busy gathering formation for a Finance Committee presentation, responded March 20 that the schools have $500,000 in a town-controlled school-stabilization account, a bit more than $500,000 in the Tuition In revolving account, about $150,000 in credits with the LABBB collaborative and all of the receipts from both fiscal 2014 and ’14 circuit-breaker reimbursements.
“We plan to only use FY 13 this year, and have budgeted to use FY 14 next year, but could use it this year if needed,” she wrote.
The schools’ budget proposal for fiscal 2015 shows $1,536,592 in fiscal ’14 and $1,666,231 for fiscal ’15.
Rob Spiegel, human-resources director, wrote March 20 that Elmer’s annual salary is $130,000. “We believe this to be in line with comparable districts,” he wrote.
Looking into the issue of higher special-education costs, Johnson told the committee March 13 that she had met with special-education administrators recently. They explained that since 2008 there has been an increase in ultralow birth-weight infants. As they grow, such children tend to have a higher incidence of vision and hearing issues, requiring special-education help.
Youngsters of this age are entering the public schools, here and elsewhere, bringing with them problems that need to be addressed, administrators told Johnson.
She suggested to the committee that, at some point, the administration might have to consider a staff person who deals with such issues.
“This is not a blip,” she said, adding that it is a national matter. “I’m very grateful to have the reserves.”
Committee member Cindy Starks noted that person who addresses vision issues is on staff in Lexington, where she is a teacher.
Legal costs raised
Member Bill Hayner raised the matter of cost with the schools’ legal firm of Stoneman Chandler.
The contract with the firm has a retainer that covers certain legal expenses up to $60,000. Documents he has received show that the amount has been exceeded by $15,000 as of the end of January.
Once the schools top $60,000, they will be billed at $190 an hour for everything above that limit.
Hayner asked Johnson to begin reporting the amounts above $60,000 on the monthly sheet she provides the committee showing legal costs to date.
In a discussion that moved back and forth between special-education and legal expenses, Johnson, said “an industry has grown up” as parents hire advocates who try to get better services for their children.
Hayner asked of special-ed costs, “How much is the result of litigation?”
Johnson said she knew of no case at the Arlington public schools precipitated by litigation.
Committee Chairman Jud Pierce suggested that an outside group could study the issue.
Johnson called that “something to think about” but “consultants can’t fix” the problem.
“We know what the problems are,” she said. “We can’t do much about them.”
Member Paul Schlichtman said he would “like to see money for attorneys come down” on the special-education, because the money “doesn’t go to kids.”
Elmer comments on new job
Asked to comment, March 15, Elmer responded March 19 (she had been out of the office):
“Throughout the interview process, I was able to engage with various stakeholders including parents, School Committee members, faculty and administrators. I was encouraged to learn that Arlington Public Schools is deeply committed to providing quality special-education services to students, and they have a strong collaboration among special education leadership and building administration in order to make sure this happens.
“I am excited and honored to be taking on this role in the Arlington public schools. I look forward to learning from my new colleagues and the families here in Arlington. The commitment to excellent education for ALL students is a strongly held value here and I am pleased to be joining such a strong educational community.”
In a news release issued Wednesday, March 19, Bodie wrote that Elmer will begin her service this summer.
“We are very pleased to welcome Ms. Elmer to this key role in Arlington,” she wrote. “Ms. Elmer brings a wide-range of experience that will benefit the students in the Arlington Public Schools.”
In other business, the committee voted unanimously a draft of the 2014-15 school calendar.
March 8, 2014: After years, permanent special-ed director introduced
This story was published Monday, March 17, 2014, and updated March 20.
