BRUNSWICK

A state proposal to have public schools provide special education services to students in preschool could be implemented in July 2018. However, Brunswick school officials say local districts need a roll-out period of three to five years.

Under the current system, children eligible for services from birth to age five receive support through the Child Development Services — a program run by the Maine Department of Education.

The proposed shift would have those children transition from CDS to the school system at age three.

In a statement, Maine DOE said the proposal is necessary, because flat funding, rising special education costs and poor management of resources have caused a multi-million-dollar deficit and a shortage in special education services, impacting hundreds of children.

Brunswick’s director of student services, Barbara Gunn, told the school board there are 67 students in the district receiving support. Gunn said having the district take on instruction for students before they reach kindergarten is the right plan of action.

However, she noted the state is still in the early stages of developing the plan.

“I don’t know what the department’s plan is,” Gunn said, adding she is aware of a feasibility study, but no pilot programs.

Gunn said Maine is one of the only states that does not currently run a preschool program for children with disabilities. The cost of implementing such a program is not yet known, but school superintendent Paul Perzanoski told the board he would put together an estimated price range.

If implemented, additional staff and space would be required to serve additional students, adding that designs for the new elementary school also do not have the space required to serve more children. Perzanoski said this may give the district pause in considering the design of the new elementary school.

In the current plan, four classrooms for pre-K instruction are included in the drafts, but the superintendent said more space may be needed to accommodate changes. He also mentioned the option of having a service center in town, utilizing existing buildings, including the Hawthorne School.

Perzanoski also said that given the administration’s cutting of school funding and shifting of costs onto districts, including teacher retirement, it is likely taxpayers may be asked to foot some of the bill when state and federal funding does not cover the total expense.

The board discussed meeting with legislative representatives to review the proposal and to voice their concerns with the timeline. Board member William Thompson said the issue will likely not be drafted into a bill until January.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com

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