RSU 22 Adjusts Special Education Staff with Teacher Elimination and New Positions

The RSU 22 Budget Meeting held on May 1, 2025, focused on significant changes within the special education department, addressing both eliminations and additions of staff positions to meet the needs of students.

The meeting began with the announcement of the elimination of a special education reading teacher position at Hampden Academy. This position, currently unfilled, will be replaced by an IEP coordinator who will also serve as a special education teacher. The director of special services expressed confidence that the remaining staff could absorb the responsibilities without impacting student services.

In addition to the changes at Hampden Academy, the meeting highlighted the hiring of a new special education teacher at Smith School, which was deemed necessary due to current student needs. Furthermore, four educational technicians were added to the budget to support incoming students from Child Development Services (CDS). This adjustment reflects a careful analysis of staffing needs, with the director indicating that the reduced number of educational technicians would still adequately support the student population.

The budget also saw a reduction of $100,000, attributed to a special education reserve account, which will be utilized as revenue. This decision was made possible by the availability of a contingency fund for emergencies.

A notable discussion point was the anticipated influx of 33 new special education students identified by CDS. These students, who are currently not enrolled in public school, will require various services upon entering the system. The meeting clarified that while these students are residents of RSU 22, they are not yet funded by the district. The early identification of their needs through CDS is expected to facilitate a smoother transition into the school system.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the historical context of early intervention services, which are mandated by law. While the district is not currently responsible for funding these services, it is anticipated that this requirement will be implemented in the coming years.

Overall, the meeting underscored RSU 22's commitment to adapting its special education services to meet the evolving needs of its students while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The next steps will involve monitoring the integration of new students and the effectiveness of the staffing changes made in the budget.