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Although many Wisconsin educators were disappointed with the state biennial budget passed this summer, they say an increased investment in special education is a silver lining. Public schools are mandated through federal law to provide services to meet the unique needs of their students. “It could range from a student that needs speech and language therapy, students that need occupational therapy, students that have learning disabilities, to students with autism or more significant developmental delays,” said Aimee Zabrowski, Director of Student Services for the School District of La Crosse. Zabrowski said the district is proud to provide those services but acknowledged they can get expensive. “The economic impact to support and provide resources, that can get well over six figures with one student really quick,” said Paul Fischer, who serves 26 area school districts as the administrator for Western Wisconsin’s Cooperative Educational Service Agency. The state offers some help to cover the cost of those services, but for years they’ve only given a 32% reimbursement, leaving districts to pay the other 68% themselves.