District news
Special education costs keep climbing and are now 18% of spending
What happened
Special education spending grew from $21.4 million (2021-22) to $29.2 million (2024-25). It is budgeted at $34.8 million for 2026-27, about 18.4% of spending. This year the district added $1.6 million of new placements it had not planned for.
Why it matters to families
Special education costs are mostly required by law and are hard to control. They are one reason the district must keep making budget cuts.
The evidence
April 1, 2026 slides on special education cost trends and the out-of-district placement schedule ('To date, the District added $1.6 million of unanticipated special education placements'). November and December 2025 finance committee decks show the same trend.
The source
2026-27 Budget Workshop #4 presentation, April 1, 2026See the full record for Hicksville Union Free School District.
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