School committee approves K–3 special education coordinator and four department‑head stipends

The Barnstable School Committee approved a reorganization in the special education department that creates a K–3 special education coordinator and adds three stipended department‑head roles covering speech‑language pathologists, school psychologists and related services (occupational/physical therapy, BCBAs, vision and mobility).

Superintendent Sarah explained the reorganization replaces the prior two co‑director structure with a single director and multiple coordinators and department heads to provide more consistent building‑level support. "This creates a more parallel structure with one director and multiple special education coordinators," she said.

Committee members were told the change is intended to reduce the number of IEP team meetings chaired by school psychologists so psychologists can focus on testing and clinical work. The K–3 coordinator role will cover five elementary buildings and is designed to be budget‑neutral using the funds freed by the previous co‑director arrangement.

The department‑head roles are described as stipended positions with reduced schedules rather than new full‑time FTEs. The committee approved each position unanimously after discussion about staffing, potential future adjustments and budgeting. The superintendent said the district will evaluate the model’s effectiveness and consider whether an additional assistant director is needed later based on results and fiscal capacity.

Committee members emphasized the need to monitor outcomes and budget impacts and to adjust roles if the model requires changes.