Sorted, Separated, and Underfunded

Dr. Louis Esposito, Ed.D. May 4th, 2026

On April 27^th,  the Nashua School superintendent Dr Mario Andrade, proposed moving students with disabilities into consolidated, segregated classrooms located in one school. He did it because the district is out of money. They are out of money because the state funds roughly 10 cents of every dollar spent on special education. The state funds 10 cents because the federal government funds less than 12 cents of the 40 it promised. And Congress promised 40 cents in 1975 and has been breaking that promise every single year since.

What happened in Nashua is not a local decision. It is the end of a very long chain of failures and Nashua’s disabled students are the ones paying for it.

During this meeting, Dr Andrade presented a plan to reconfigure various program throughout the Nashua School District. The EPICS program (Evidence-based Positive Intensive Compassionate Structured) is designed to support students with “intensive” needs. Per the report, this program serves students with the highest level of need and require intensive support. Additionally, the program is described as one for students that have minimal inclusion in their IEP’s and are primarily served in self-contained classrooms. According to the plan, this is a program for students who require consistent support that can’t be typically provided in the general education setting. The program will gradualy shift from 4 classrooms at Broad Street (K-3^rd grade) and 3 classrooms at Sunset Heights (4^th and 5^th grade) to Broad Street for all classes (K-5^th) in the 28/29 school year. The classrooms will be capped at 10 students per room where there will be 1 teacher, 3 behavior technicians and 4 paraeducators. Overseeing these programs will be 2 BCBA’s and 1 Program coordinator.

This is a snapshot of the current picture. What you don’t see often is the context that surrounds why so many people are upset .

The disability community is angry, anxious, and agitated. For far too long, students and adults have been viewed as charity, viewed as inspiration porn, and have been segregated from society and in schools. Robert Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has stoked fear in in home and community based support systems, has added to the decades worth of misinformation about cause of autism, and has even claimed that autistic individuals will never pay taxes, write poems, or go on a date.

Out state legislators are making equally ridiculous claims. In a hearing for the bill HB 1316, which was attempting to restrict the collection and disclosure of autism-related data by state agencies, a bill intended to respond to the growing fear caused by language from the federal government, a number of advocates when to Granite Place in Concord to testify in favor of this bill. ABLE NH Policy Director, Krysten Evans, was asked  by Representative Matthew Drew “If Autism can be cured, would you support that”. Following her response, Evans asked Representative Drew the same questions. His response, “I absolutely would”. A sitting state representative, in a public hearing room, said plainly that he believes autism should be eliminated. Not supported. Not accommodated. Eliminated. That is not a fringe view from the internet. That is a view held by someone with a vote on legislation that affects the lives of every disabled person in New Hampshire. And it did not generate outrage. It did not make headlines. It was just another moment in a hearing that most people never watched.

The Nashua school district has been faced with a significant budgetary issue. This is very clear. Superintendent Andrade was honest about the financial pressure driving this plan. Special education contracted services costs have grown from roughly $33,000 in actual FY2022 expenditures to a projected $4 million in FY2026. Out-of-district tuition costs have climbed from $5.3 million to over $7.2 million in the same period. The district established a Special Education Trust Fund,  intended to be a multi-year resource, and then had to drain the entire $3.2 million in less than six months to cover current-year invoices.

These are not Nashua-specific issues. They are the result of a funding structure that is broken.

Here is what that structure looks like in plain numbers. Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975 and promised to cover 40% of the cost of educating students with disabilities. Fifty years later, the federal government covers roughly 13%. Not 40. Thirteen. The promise was made, the money was never sent, and school districts have been filling the gap with property taxes and trust funds and creative accounting ever since.

New Hampshire makes it worse. The state contributes on average about $3,285 per student with an IEP, covering just over 10% of actual additional costs. Local property taxpayers pick up the remaining 83%. In Nashua and other school districts across the state, that means the city’s residents are paying for a federal civil rights mandate that the federal government chose not to fund and a state obligation that the NH legislature chose to underfund. Year after year. Budget cycle after budget cycle.

But when decisions about disabled students are driven by “economies of scale”, we have an obligation to pause and ask what the short and long-term consequences will be. Efficiency is not a neutral word when the people being made efficient are children.

So there is a significant issue. Research over and over demonstrates that inclusive classrooms are beneficial for students across the board. A separate comparison study found that students educated in inclusive settings made significantly greater progress in communication, literacy, and math, while a majority of students in separate settings made little to no progress in those same areas (Gee et al., 2020). These are not small differences in learning outcomes. They are a completely different educational experience.

On the contrary, students with disabilities in segregated settings are nearly five times more likely to be disengaged from learning and far less likely to be interacting with peers or certified teachers (Zagona et al., 2022). When students are grouped and moved based on perceived need, they are being told something about who they are, what is expected of them, and where they belong. Research has long shown that special education systems can function as sorting mechanisms that reinforce separation rather than inclusion (Annamma et al., 2013). Students placed in more restrictive settings rarely transition back, regardless of their progress (Kurth et al., 2014). Once systems are built this way, they are incredibly difficult to undo. This is not a decision for one year. It is a decision for many years to come.

There is a lot of research to support this. In fact, there are many NH based scholars and experts that contribute to the field of research. These include Evolve and Effect, LLC and their team including Michael McSheehan, renowned Emmy award winning film makers Sam and Dan Habib, and the Center for Inclusive Education at UNH.

But let’s say there is a pivot. What is the alternative It does not alleviate the financial needs faced by the Nashua school district. It shifts the problem to other areas. What else will be cut Nashua is already proposing to eliminate a total of 56 staff positions, including 21 teaching positions. How many more teachers or professionals will be let go if this plan is not enacted From a disability perspective, students will not be isolated into segregated schools. But is the alternative ideal too A victory for disability advocates in Nashua moves the problem and causes horrendous outcomes in other areas.

I don’t agree with Dr. Andrade’s plan. It’s regressive, not inclusive, and sets a dangerous precedent for one of the largest school districts in our state.

However, the anger about this plan can’t be focused solely on his proposal. The anger has to be directed towards our state and federal government. Instead of helping out school districts like Nashua, our state government efforts are focused on expanding Education Freedom Accounts and Open Enrollment. Instead of spending time finding new ways to fund education, they are discussing more ways to ban books, increasing the usage of restraint and seclusion for punishment, restricting the type of flags in a classroom, and focusing on “liberal indoctrination”.

But to be fair, they have addressed special education funding, in several deeply concerning ways. They discussed consolidating regional special education services making kids with disabilities attend a regional school to get support, budget caps, and finding ways to bill private insurance for special education services.

While this is focused on the Nashua School District, this is coming to more school districts throughout the state. Advocates need to be alarmed about what is happening in their own school districts because Nashua certainly isn’t the first and it won’t be the last. Why does the concept of inclusion need to come at the expense of the English teacher Why isn’t inclusion considered a part of an adequate education

This is absolutely yet another wakeup call for many throughout the state. But the anger and frustration needs to also go towards our representatives in NH and our federal delegation too.

But we can’t do it alone—we need your voice! Whether you’re a person with lived experience, a family member, or an ally, your perspective is essential to making change happen. Together, we can amplify our impact and push for policies that truly reflect the needs of our community.

Getting involved is easier than you think. Below, you’ll find templates and step-by-step guides to help you write to legislators, testify at hearings, or engage in community advocacy. With your help, we can make lasting, meaningful change.

Nancy Glynn
nancy@momsrising.org

Louis Esposito
louis@ablenh.org

January 13, 2025 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Granite Staters to Rally at State House in Support of Special Education Funding 

Concord, NH – With growing concerns about Special Education funding, people from across the state will gather outside the New Hampshire State House on Tuesday, January 14th at 11 AM, calling on leaders to protect the rights of students with disabilities by funding their fair share of Special Education supports and services. 

In November, New Hampshire school districts were informed that they should expect significantly less state aid for Special Education in 2025 due to budget shortfalls. The $33.9 million allocated for Special Education aid in 2025 falls far short of the $50.3 million needed to meet reimbursement requests from school districts. As a result, the state can only cover 67.5% of the funding it is constitutionally obligated to provide–a sharp decline from 87% in 2023 and 98.3% in 2022. Despite this gap, the New Hampshire Department of Education does not have a plan to request emergency funding, putting immense pressure on school boards to make tough decisions as they prepare their budgets ahead of town meeting season.

In response, New Hampshire residents are uniting to share a message about the importance of Special Education funding for building inclusive, equitable communities where all students can thrive. The rally will include remarks from students, local educators, parents, legislators, and advocates about the impact of Special Education services on their lives and communities.

“This is more than a call for funding, it’s a call for equity and access. Inclusive education is not a privilege, it’s a right. Adequately funding Special Education means ensuring that teachers, paraprofessionals, students, and their families have the resources, training, and support they need to provide inclusive and effective education. When we invest in Special Education, we empower educators to create classrooms where every student can thrive, and we uphold the values of access, inclusion, diversity, and community for all. Funding Special Education helps students with and without disabilities. When schools are more inclusive and fair, everyone learns and grows better together,” said Louis Esposito, Executive Director at ABLE NH.

“Budgets are moral documents, and Special Education funding must reflect our Granite State values. Without adequate support, the burden of this funding gap will fall on families who are already feeling the squeeze of skyrocketing property taxes and the high cost of living. If we want to attract young families to live, work and raise their families here, we need to listen. We heard them in Kearsarge, and we hear them now. New Hampshire families want to live in a state that values and invests in quality public education–NOT one where inequities deepen because the state fails to meet its obligations. The legislature has the tools to fix this–to prioritize Special Education funding and commit to funding the state’s constitutional responsibilities. Every day we delay is a day our students and schools are at risk,” said Nancy Glynn, New Hampshire Campaign Director for MomsRising.

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About ABLE NH

Founded and led by individuals with disabilities and their family members, Advocates Building Lasting Equality in NH (ABLE NH) advocates for the civil and human rights of children and adults with disabilities, promoting full participation by: improving systems, connecting families, inspiring communities, and influencing public policy. Learn more at www.ablenh.org. 

About MomsRising

MomsRising is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all moms, women, and families in the United States. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s women and families including paid family leave, earned sick days, affordable childcare, and so much more. Learn more at www.momsrising.org. 

We’ve heard from you about your concerns for the disability community in 2025, and we are listening.

People with disabilities already face barriers to living full lives in their communities — barriers rooted in societal structures, policies, and attitudes. We work daily to challenge these barriers and advocate for a world where disability is recognized as a natural part of human diversity. We know that cuts to services and threats to the protections we’ve collectively fought for would only create more inequalities.

New Hampshire’s disability community has a long and proud history of partnering with diverse groups and lawmakers across all political parties to advance disability rights. ABLE NH will continue to build bridges with all decision-makers, foster open dialogue, share your powerful stories, and educate people about disability as a part of life we all share. Disability is not a personal tragedy. It intersects with every aspect of society, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs. When people with disabilities thrive, New Hampshire thrives.

ABLE NH is free to speak up boldly about the right to full inclusion in our schools and communities. We are ready to partner with others who advocate for equity and justice, and we invite you to join us. We are committed to sharing accurate information and updates about issues that impact people with disabilities and their families as we look to make systematic changes through our policy work. Our strength relies on collective action and the power of lived experience.

As we start a new year, we want you to know we are here for you. Together, we will rise to meet any challenges that lie ahead. You are not alone.

In solidarity,

ABLE NH

We invite you to join us in our advocacy by becoming an ABLE NH member today. We offer both paid and in-kind membership options, so there are many ways to contribute to our work. Become a member: www.ablenh.org/membership

Our members play an essential role in advancing our work, and we’re launching a monthly series of member spotlights because their efforts deserve recognition! This December, we are excited to highlight Julie Lago, MSW, LICSW (she/her) of Seabrook, who has contributed her invaluable expertise to our efforts at the intersection of disability and mental health.

Julie is a lifelong disability advocate, a licensed social worker in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and a mom of two future ABLE NH advocates. She is also the Owner/Lead Consultant at Connections All Ways, PLLC, home to Bookends Therapy™. Their mission is to use proven strategies to help individuals and teams identify opportunities, broaden their perspectives, and work together to achieve success by fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, accountability, and inclusion.

Julie’s passion for person-centered approaches is evident in her work co-developing the Continuum of Collaborative Care. This model was created while in her role at a NH community mental health center, born out of a critical need for continuity of care for those who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or brain injuries in addition to mental health needs.

In 2010, Julie graduated from the NH-ME LEND Program and the NH Leadership Series, and also completed her Master of Social Work degree. She now works as an Adjunct Faculty and Field Liaison at the University of New Hampshire and enjoys challenging students in their experiential learning.

Julie joined ABLE NH’s Mental Health Task Force in 2024 to expand her advocacy efforts. She shared powerful insights on mental health awareness as a speaker at the 2024 Disability Justice Parade, and we were honored to have Connections All Ways as a sponsor of the 2024 Advocate NH Conference. Julie also played a vital role in facilitating a recent screening of the film Everything to Somebody, which follows the stories of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and highlights the importance of mental health services.

As an ABLE NH Member, Julie remains passionate about program development, training, and advocacy, fostering tools that allow for decreasing redundancy and improving efficiency in our systems of care.

Follow Julie’s work:
Instagram – @ConnectionsAllWays
Facebook – Connections All Ways, PLLC
LinkedIn – Connections All Ways, PLLC
Website – www.connectionsallways.com

ABLE NH’s Annual Meeting is a time for us to share about the work we’ve done in the past year, seek community feedback on the direction of our advocacy, and elect members to positions on our Board of Directors. 

This year, we solicited your feedback on potential 2025 priorities through a pre-meeting survey informing our meeting agenda. Then, we narrowed down those priorities through voting at the Annual Meeting. This year, members voted that we prioritize:

• Establishing two new task forces — One to address challenges facing the direct support professional (DSP) workforce, and another to act as a “rapid response” team for policy developments that require advocacy action from our community.
• Developing trainings on topics including inclusive employment practices, accessibility, advocacy skills, and the intersections of disability and mental health.
• Special projects including establishing a Laconia State School historical marker, developing a training platform, building an infographic library for spreading important information to the community, and establishing a certification for professionals whose practices are conscious of disability access and inclusion.

We appreciate the valuable feedback and ideas we received from the community in this process. All of the issues you brought to us are important, and we will do our best to address as many of them as possible!