Amanda Leatherby, U‑46 director of Specialized Student Services, told the Board of Education the district will combine its Exceptional Needs 1 (EN1), Instructional Learning Program (ILP) and Modified Learning Program (MLP) into a single Multi Abilities Classroom, or MAC, beginning with the boundary changes for the 2026–27 school year.

"The goal of MAC is to provide equitable and inclusive learning opportunities while emphasizing a balanced and collaborative teaching approach to students with complex learning needs," Leatherby said during the Oct. 6 presentation, joined by Ridge Circle Elementary teacher Elspeth "Ellie" Alvarado.

The district argued the consolidation will place more students at or near their home school. Preliminary elementary‑level data presented by staff shows the number of ILP and MLP students attending their home school would rise from 37 students (about 8 percent) to 122 students (about 34 percent). Average one‑way distance from home to school for students currently in EN1, ILP and MLP classrooms was reported as 5.82 miles; the MAC plan reduces that average to 2.99 miles.

Leatherby outlined program features and implementation details. MAC will aim for more consistent classroom setups, shared curriculum and embedded "push in" related services while retaining pull‑out services when specified on a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Leatherby said MAC "will continue to support monolingual and multilingual classroom structures" and that staff will "support consistent classroom setups, curriculum, and materials with consistency program wide."

Board members asked for specifics on student placement, class size and staffing. "I think this seems like a really good idea. I just have a few questions," said Board Member Kate. Leatherby answered that the district expects classroom sizes to narrow: current class sizes average about 10–13 students with pockets of smaller groups; MAC classrooms are anticipated to range roughly 8–10 students depending on grade level and individual needs.

On placement of students on the autism spectrum, Leatherby said level 3 autism students would be part of MAC; level 1 and some level 2 students are presently in a mix of general education, MLP and ILP classrooms and "would be gone entirely and consolidated into MAC," she said, adding that some students could instead be placed in PREP (Promoting Readiness, Empowerment and Purpose), a general‑education‑curriculum classroom intended for students on the autism spectrum who are near grade‑level expectations.

Trustees pressed staff on teacher and paraeducator assignment, feedback from school staff and whether positions would be lost. Leatherby said staffing models would remain flexible to student needs, that many classrooms are currently staffed with a teacher and typically two paraeducators, and that the district is not anticipating any teaching position losses. She said a professional‑learning rollout would begin Oct. 10 and include training, coaching and supports already in use (Easterseals training, CPI and planned Ukeru implementation).

Questions also covered evaluation and the timeline for additional curriculum. Leatherby said year‑one would focus on shifting programs and collecting teacher feedback; programmatic assessments and additional curriculum resources are planned for later years (staff named VB Math and APEGS as example assessments under consideration). Leatherby and Deputy Superintendent Lola Mysdorovic said the MAC shift was timed to align with boundary changes to avoid multiple moves for families.

Board members and staff acknowledged concerns raised in public comments and by teachers about wide ability ranges within a single classroom and said they would solicit staff input through a feedback form and targeted meetings. Leatherby said teacher leaders would transition from program support to network support and inclusion facilitators would remain available.

The presentation was informational; the board did not take formal action on the MAC plan at the Oct. 6 meeting.

Ending: Administration said further implementation details, staffing timelines and monthly updates will be provided as the district moves toward the 2026–27 school year.