Some Ohio school districts would reroute education aid

COLUMBUS (AP) — State officials say 113 Ohio school districts are diverting $22 million in federal stimulus money intended for special-education services and spending it on other programs.

It’s a small portion of the $438 million that schools are getting statewide for special-ed. But advocates for the disabled are upset.

Jennifer Cohen, a policy analyst for the New America Foundation in Washington D.C., calls it sneaky.

The U.S. Disabilities Education Act allows districts that get additional federal dollars to reduce their local spending by up to 50 percent of the increase.

The state Education Department says the law is intended to give eligible districts flexibility and that any money spent on general education also will benefit special-needs students.