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Special-education inclusion rising; afterschool and partner programs face funding risk
Summary
District special-education staff reported gains in inclusion and said access-reimbursement funds are available; separately, community and grant-funded student programs are at risk if federal or grant funding is not renewed.
Dr. White (special-education presenter) told the board the district’s data show an increase in the proportion of students receiving special-education services who spend 80% or more of their time in regular classrooms. “Our numbers are increasing…you can see that there was definitely a jump,” Dr. White said, noting that the trend should reduce pull-out instruction and related costs over time.
Dr. White also said the district has access funds (reimbursements) totaling approximately $1,600,000 available from earlier years; staff plan to draw down $550,000 in 2024–25 and another $550,000 in 2025–26 with the remainder planned for 2026–27. She said earlier audit compliance issues delayed spending until data and processes were corrected.
Separately, Pam (a family- and community-programs staff member) and other presenters warned that several external or grant-funded programs — including ROA/HOOPP, Scribe and community family-link services — face funding insecurity and could shift to the general fund if grants are not renewed. Pam said she intends to collect program data from providers and make data-driven recommendations about which programs to preserve if funds are constrained.
Board members requested program-level data to inform difficult budget decisions. Dr. White agreed to present program details next month so the board can weigh priorities before finalizing budget options.
