Live

Tracking the Trends: Why Are Special Education Costs Climbing?

9.12.25 / 1:00pm est

45 minutes

About this webinar

Even when enrollment holds steady, special education budgets continue to grow and not always for reasons that show up in basic reports. In this 45-minute session, we’ll explore the hidden factors behind rising costs: the number of students needing services, the growing intensity and complexity of those needs, and the tiered funding structures that come with them.

Designed for school and district decision-makers, this session will help you get clear on what’s behind the numbers and how to explain it effectively to your board, leadership team, and community.

We’ll share examples from districts across the country, along with visual tools and reports that make it easier to track changes over time and clearly communicate the full story of your special education services and spending.

Featured Speakers

Heather Taylor, MBA

Director of Client Experience at Frontline Education

Heather Taylor brings strategic analytics expertise and a deep commitment to client success in her role as Director of Client Experience at Frontline Education. With a passion for turning data into meaningful impact, she helps school districts translate insight into action.

Previously, Heather served as Senior Advisor and Analytics Team Lead, where she guided K-12 leaders in using data to drive smarter decisions. Today, she leads Frontline’s Client Experience organization, supporting districts through implementation, adoption, and optimization, of the Frontline Analytics suite. Her mission is clear: ensure every district sees how data can strengthen decision-making and build long-term financial resilience.

Eric Eggan, M.Ed

Client Services & Enablement Lead at Frontline Education

Eric Eggan, M.Ed. is a Client Services & Enablement Lead at Frontline Education. He has a proven track record of guiding leadership teams in driving operational improvements through data-driven decisions. An expert in comparative analytics, he helps districts identify peer groups and create customized benchmarks across enrollment, staffing, finance, and student performance. By providing valuable context for critical decisions, Eric enables district leaders to make strategic, evidence-based choices that boost efficiency and support community and district goals.

Discover the Frontline Difference

Frontline Education is a leading provider of school administration software, dedicated to helping K-12 leaders achieve their district’s goals. Our solutions empower administrators to manage critical areas like finance, HR, special education, and student health efficiently. Trusted by over 10,000 school district clients, Frontline delivers the insights and tools needed to save time, improve compliance, and support school leaders to drive positive outcomes.

Frontline Analytics helps school leaders make smarter, faster decisions by turning staffing, student, and financial data into clear, actionable insight. Whether you’re forecasting budgets, comparing performance, or identifying trends in student enrollment, Frontline Analytics’ tools bring together the right data in the right context so your team can plan strategically and communicate with clarity.

Comparative Analytics: Benchmark spending, staffing, and performance against peer districts to inform competitive, equity-focused decisions.

Budget & Financial Planning Analytics: Build multi-year financial scenarios and model the impact of strategic choices to strengthen long-term sustainability.

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