Osceola schools outline ESE hub plan and expanded inclusion; parents warn of transportation and service risks

Osceola County School District leaders presented a detailed update on proposed changes to the district’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services on April 8, saying the plan aims to increase inclusive placements while concentrating specialized staff and ancillary services in regional “hub” sites. Superintendent Doctor Shanoff and ESE director Hillary DeLuca described the briefing as an update, not a final policy, and emphasized continued outreach to families and staff.

The presentation matters because the district serves thousands of students with disabilities, and the reorganization would change where and how many of those students receive specialized instruction. District officials said the changes are intended to deliver higher‑quality, concentrated supports where staffing has been thin, but parents, teachers and advocates warned at length that longer bus rides, reduced local services and rushed timelines could harm students who depend on routine and on staff familiar with their needs.

Doctor Shanoff opened the item by acknowledging the difficulty of the work and the district’s communication shortcomings. “Change is infinitely more challenging for families with students with special needs,” he said, and added that the district would continue one‑on‑one meetings and follow‑up. Deputy Superintendent Doctor Clayton and Director Hillary DeLuca then reviewed the analysis, the advisory process and next steps.

District staff summarized the outside review and data that informed the update: an external audit by Education Resource Strategies used 2023–24 program enrollment and found roughly 7,500 students identified in ESE programs district‑wide. Staff said about 62% of those students were served in fully inclusive models and about 38% in some form of separate class setting; one category—students in separate self‑contained classes expected to meet general‑education…