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As often happens good intentions have unintended consequences. Being the only school district in the state using weighting for special ed students has led to having a disproportionate number of IEP students in the district. These students cost a lot more to educate than their classmates. Parents, wanting the best opportunities for their students move to where their needs will be best met. Warwick should offer the same level of service as the rest of the state. Not anything beyond that. If IEP weighting is the right thing in Warwick then it is the right thing in other districts. If you want to have a thriving housing market, you want to attract families with AP classes and gifted learning programs. IEP students simply cost more to educate than other students. In a district as poor as Warwick's the burden was simply to much. Getting in line with the rest of the state is necessary. Special Education advocates should work with local GA members to make weighting IEP students state law. As it stands now Warwick is attracting families with IEP students from around the state. The city and schools are losing population. We need more families with gifted students and fewer with special needs. It may seem harsh, it's not. It's math.