Spec. Ed. Costs Can Be Taxing For Districts

By Joetta L. Sack

Concord, N.H.

Brandee Helbick knows firsthand the need for more money for special education. She teaches 12 students with a wide range of disabilities in a converted supply closet, and basic materials and competent aides are tough to find.

But what really makes her frustrated is having to defend her job and the money spent on special education to some residents here in fiscally conservative New Hampshire, which is embroiled in a long-running debate over its school finance system. Often, she says, people say things like "It's not fair to spend so much money on those kids," or "Does that mean the band won't get new uniforms this year?"

"There's a lot of backlash," said Ms. Helbick, who teaches at Londonderry (N.H.) Middle School, near the Massachusetts border. "There have been some people who were disappointed to hear that the money is going to be spent on kids who 'aren't going to...