FY2021 Special Education Circuit Breaker Extraordinary Relief Claims

To:	Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Special Education Directors, School Business Officials
From:	Craig Delmonte, Director of School Business Services, District & School Finance
Date:	February 8, 2021

The Special Education Circuit Breaker program includes a provision that allows districts to claim for extraordinary relief when claimable Special Education costs exceed 125% of the previous year's claimed costs. The purpose of this memorandum is to outline the extraordinary relief claim process for FY'2021.

As noted in the Superintendent's checklist sent to all districts at the start of the school year, Districts considering claiming for relief this fiscal year should send an email to circuitbreaker@doe.mass.edu expressing their intent to claim by Friday, February 26, 2021. After receiving this information we will create district specific claim files and make them available to school officials. These relief claim files will be in the same format as previous years and relief claims will be due Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

While the Student Opportunity Act includes a phase in of Out of District Transportation costs, relief will not include Transportation.

In addition, we are working to set up a training schedule during March to assist districts intending to file. All districts filing claims for relief are expected to attend a training session. Please be advised that districts filing after March 31 are not guaranteed consideration for relief.

I appreciate your assistance in the implementation of the Circuit Breaker program.

Last Updated: February 8, 2021