Connecticut Education Department Adds Special Education Attorney to Rework Complaint Handling

October 22, 2026 - 19:17

The Connecticut State Department of Education has brought on Kathleen Reiser to serve in a newly created position focused entirely on special education legal matters. The hire is meant to strengthen how the agency handles complaints from families and districts, a process that has drawn criticism for being slow and hard to navigate.

Reiser comes to the role with experience in disability law and will work directly on the review and resolution of disputes involving students with disabilities. Her duties include advising department staff on legal questions tied to federal and state special education requirements and helping redesign internal procedures so complaints move through the system more efficiently.

Advocates for families have long argued that delays in the complaint process leave students without needed services while disputes drag on. The department said the new position reflects a broader effort to make the system more responsive and transparent. Reiser is expected to coordinate with other divisions within the agency and with outside stakeholders as she evaluates where the current process breaks down.

Officials did not provide a timeline for when changes to the complaint system might be announced, but said the work would begin immediately. The creation of the position was welcomed by some parent groups, who said they hope it leads to faster decisions and clearer communication from the state.