District news
Board approves request over $11 million special-education shortfall
What happened
The board approved a request to the School Budget Review Committee concerning the district’s 2025–26 special-education negative balance, which board members said was about $11 million. The district cited a funding gap: federal special-education reimbursement was 10.2% last fiscal year, versus the 40% originally promised.
Why it matters to families
The request addresses a substantial districtwide gap between special-education costs and reimbursement, affecting the district’s budget capacity to serve students with disabilities.
The evidence
In the September 28 meeting recording, the board approved the request concerning the 2025–26 special-education negative balance (39:27–39:44). A board member characterized the gap as about $11 million and said reimbursement was 10.2% in the last fiscal year compared with the original 40% promise (38:03–39:17).
The source
Board of Education | Board Meeting - September 28, 2026See the full record for Cedar Rapids Community School District.
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