PORTLAND (AP) – Maine communities such as Portland, Bangor and Lewiston that are home to private and parochial schools are facing the prospect of additional costs for special education because of a change in federal law.

In the past, the costs of special ed services for out-of-town students attending private schools were paid by the student’s hometown. Under the new provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, the town or city where the school is located will have to foot the bill.

“This is an impact on individual school districts way beyond anything that was intended,” said Barbara Dee, head of special education for Portland schools. She estimated that the change will cost her city an additional $60,000 to $70,000 in the first year.

The change will have little effect on some communities and many even reduce costs for those that have special education students attending out-of-town private schools.

The new provision was sought by private schools, which can now deal with a single school district rather than with all the districts in which their students reside.

Most of the 37,000 Maine students enrolled in special education classes because of disabilities such as autism, speech and hearing impairments and mental retardation, attend public schools.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-12-25-05 1353EST