By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would increase the amount of funds that a school district can stash away in a reserve account during good fiscal times to help alleviate the fiscal burden of paying for special education during difficult fiscal times. The measure would increase the amount allowed from 2 percent to 5 percent of the district’s annual budget.

“The districts I represent have struggled over this past year, as have districts across the commonwealth, and one of the biggest drivers of those challenges has been the rising cost of special education,” said sponsor Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston). “I want to give districts the tools they need to plan for these difficult times in the future and give them the chance to make sound fiscal planning decisions to ensure that rising costs don’t lead to budget cuts.”