East Lyme - The Board of Education expects to save thousands in next year's schools budget from a plan proposed by the superintendent to modify the district's special-education services.Superintendent of Schools James Lombardo is asking the Board of Education to increase the district's special education leadership support, reduce its practice of outsourcing its services and return some students from outside placements to the district.

Superintendent of Schools James Lombardo is asking the Board of Education to increase the district's special education leadership support, reduce its practice of outsourcing its services and return some students from outside placements to the district. In 2007-08, special-education services made up about 25 percent of the schools' budget. In Lombardo's proposed 2010-11 fiscal budget, special-education services make up 22 percent of the budget.

In 2007-08, special-education services made up about 25 percent of the schools' budget. In Lombardo's proposed 2010-11 fiscal budget, special-education services make up 22 percent of the budget. "The purpose is to make the program more cost-effective and more effective for parents and their children," Lombardo said.

"The purpose is to make the program more cost-effective and more effective for parents and their children," Lombardo said. The push to change the way the district handles the requirements of students with special needs came after the Board of Education commissioned a study of its special-education services. A report released in November by Futures Education LLC had several recommendations, including hiring a special education coordinator.

The push to change the way the district handles the requirements of students with special needs came after the Board of Education commissioned a study of its special-education services. A report released in November by Futures Education LLC had several recommendations, including hiring a special education coordinator. After the report was released, the superintendent formed a task force consisting of special-education teachers, psychologists, administrators and board members. The task force was directed to analyze special-education data from the district and the region, look at the recommendations from Futures and come up with their own and develop a strategic plan. The task force report is supposed to be submitted to the superintendent in February.

After the report was released, the superintendent formed a task force consisting of special-education teachers, psychologists, administrators and board members. The task force was directed to analyze special-education data from the district and the region, look at the recommendations from Futures and come up with their own and develop a strategic plan. The task force report is supposed to be submitted to the superintendent in February. In the past, Lombardo said the district has been understaffed, operating solely with one special education director. That one person was responsible for handling training, development procedures and communicating changes in the law. Lombardo is proposing to hire an assistant superintendent for special education and pupil personnel services to oversee the special-education program and other services. Currently the assistant superintendent position is not filled and there is an interim director of special education.

In the past, Lombardo said the district has been understaffed, operating solely with one special education director. That one person was responsible for handling training, development procedures and communicating changes in the law. Lombardo is proposing to hire an assistant superintendent for special education and pupil personnel services to oversee the special-education program and other services. Currently the assistant superintendent position is not filled and there is an interim director of special education.The superintendent is also proposing the hiring of the special education coordinator at a cost of $84,000. The coordinator would provide leadership in the preschool program and would be supervised by the assistant superintendent. Stimulus money will be used to fund the position this year. Next year, the number of paraprofessionals will be reduced to offset the costs.

The superintendent is also proposing the hiring of the special education coordinator at a cost of $84,000. The coordinator would provide leadership in the preschool program and would be supervised by the assistant superintendent. Stimulus money will be used to fund the position this year. Next year, the number of paraprofessionals will be reduced to offset the costs. The school district had a practice of outsourcing many of its services, like consultants hired to help determine if students are eligible for special education. Lombardo said with proper training, the school's psychologists can handle this task.

The school district had a practice of outsourcing many of its services, like consultants hired to help determine if students are eligible for special education. Lombardo said with proper training, the school's psychologists can handle this task. Also, Lombardo said he believes that the school district should try to return students from their outside placements back to the district. He thinks this might be accomplished by replicating programs at a lower cost. That move would save on transportation and tuition costs.

Also, Lombardo said he believes that the school district should try to return students from their outside placements back to the district. He thinks this might be accomplished by replicating programs at a lower cost. That move would save on transportation and tuition costs. Lombardo said he thinks in the next two to three years the district will see a savings.

Lombardo said he thinks in the next two to three years the district will see a savings."Jim's been thoughtful and diligent in looking into this. He's aware that we need to keep costs low but deliver services for special-education children," Tim Hagen, school board chairman said. "We think that Jim has definitely picked a good path forward."

"Jim's been thoughtful and diligent in looking into this. He's aware that we need to keep costs low but deliver services for special-education children," Tim Hagen, school board chairman said. "We think that Jim has definitely picked a good path forward."a.renczkowski@theday.com

a.renczkowski@theday.com