In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant advancements in special education within the district, highlighting a successful collaboration with Manchester to explore early college and dual enrollment pathways for students. The meeting included a motion to approve an agreement, which was unanimously supported by board members.

Melissa Gray, the Director of Student Services, and Lisa Horn, the Assistant Director, presented an overview of special education indicators monitored by the state. They emphasized the importance of these indicators, which are part of a federal monitoring system assessing the performance of districts across New Hampshire.

Notably, the district reported a 100% graduation rate for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the 2022-2023 school year, with no dropouts recorded. This achievement reflects the district's commitment to providing robust support and alternative programming for students with disabilities.

The presentation also covered various assessment indicators, including participation and proficiency rates in standardized tests. While the district performed well in many areas, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges in closing the proficiency gap between students with and without disabilities, an issue recognized statewide.

Further discussions revealed that the district has maintained a commendable record regarding suspension and expulsion rates, with no significant discrepancies noted. The board also reviewed the placement of students in the least restrictive environments, reporting that 86% of students with disabilities spend over 80% of their day in regular education classrooms, surpassing the state average.

However, the data for preschool students raised concerns, as only 11% were reported to be in regular early childhood programs. This figure was attributed to previous guidance from the Department of Education, which misclassified students receiving services. The district is working to correct these discrepancies in future reports.

The meeting concluded with a positive note on parent involvement, with 84% of parents expressing satisfaction with the support provided by the district, significantly higher than the state average. Overall, the discussions underscored the district's commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for students with disabilities while addressing areas for improvement.