Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D‑Hamden) and the MORE (Municipal Opportunities & Regional Efficiencies) Commission has put forth a series of legislative proposals this year, including one that tries to get control of ever-increasing costs related to special education.
Deputy Speaker of the House Linda M. Gentile (D‑Ansonia, Derby) is particularly pleased with the goals focusing on special education in the state.
“Special education costs are particularly high in Ansonia and Derby,” said Rep. Gentile. “If we can get a handle on those costs through working cooperatively it’s a success for all involved.”
Special education reform goals include:
- Providing a more efficient system and providing more accessibility to quality special education by regionalizing services and programs.
- Centralizing and coordinating transition services under one state agency.
- Re-purposing Regional Education Service Centers (RESCs) into regional special education districts.
Sharkey re-established the bipartisan, bicameral MORE panel in 2013, and charged them with helping cities and towns reduce their costs and increase efficiencies, particularly through regional cooperation, with a goal of ultimately reducing local property taxes.