Montgomery County Districts Brace for Funding Gap as Special Education Enrollment Soars

Montgomery County school districts are facing financial challenges as the number of students in special education increases sharply, exceeding the support anticipated from a recent statewide legislative initiative. 

Recent data from the Texas Education Agency reveals a significant surge in the number of students needing special education services in Conroe, Montgomery, and Willis ISDs. 

The increases are notable, with Conroe seeing an 87% rise, Montgomery at 135%, and Willis at 111% from the 2018-19 to the 2023-24 school years. The increasing demands are putting a strain on district budgets, resulting in a significant disparity between service costs and available funds.

The issue of funding shortfalls has been ongoing. A 2023 report by the advocacy group Disability Rights Texas highlighted a significant $2.3 billion shortfall in special education budgets for local education agencies across the state during the 2020-21 period. Although assistance is forthcoming, it will not be immediately available. 

Governor Greg Abbott has officially enacted House Bill 2, allocating $850 million to revamp funding for special education, with a focus on tailoring resources to meet each student's unique requirements. Nonetheless, the TEA has verified that districts will not obtain the new funds until the 2026-27 school year, compelling them to seek immediate alternatives.

"Any increase in funding will be used to bridge that gap," stated Willis ISD Communications Director Sarah Blakelock. Montgomery ISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin emphasized this point, highlighting the substantial increase in the district's spending on special education. "We are optimistic that this extra funding will significantly benefit our students and schools," he stated.

One immediate advantage of HB 2 is a $1,000 reimbursement for every initial special education evaluation. Conroe ISD officials stated that this measure could result in approximately $2.5 million in savings for the district, providing substantial assistance in a financially challenging sector. 

Michael Holland, the executive director of the Region 6 Education Service Center, stated that comprehensive evaluations may range in cost from $1,000 to $4,000. He said that while the reimbursement provides some assistance, it fails to address the fundamental issue of high expenses associated with contracted services.

While new funding has been announced, officials acknowledge that this assistance will not address all of their financial difficulties. Conroe ISD Chief Financial Officer Karen Garza expressed that the new funding addresses the gap "somewhat, but certainly not to the extent that we had hoped."

The surge in enrollment in Montgomery County reflects a broader trend observed throughout the state of Texas. Across the state, there has been a significant increase in the number of students accessing special education services over the past decade, with this rise partly attributed to the lifting of a cap on special education students in 2017. During the 2023-24 academic year, 14% of students in Texas public schools accessed these services.

Regional elements are also contributing to the uptick, including an expanding population, an increase in dyslexia diagnoses, and a higher volume of referrals for young learners, particularly those in private or homeschool environments. 

In a proactive move, districts such as Montgomery ISD are closely monitoring enrollment and service trends, conducting needs assessments, and expanding their support programs to meet these needs. 

Conroe ISD has chosen not to provide additional comments, indicating that officials are currently assessing the implications of HB 2. Region 6 is set to implement internal training aimed at equipping staff and school boards with a clear understanding of the upcoming changes resulting from the new law.

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