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Board hears special-education disproportionality data; district spotlights student financial-assistance fund
Summary
District special-education staff told the Waunakee board on June 9 that African American students are overrepresented among special-education cases compared with their share of the student population, and administrators outlined next steps in tiered supports. The board also received an update on a student financial-assistance fund that distributes roughly $50,000 a year to remove financial barriers for students.
The Waunakee board received two related equity and student-support updates on June 9: a review of disproportionality data in special education and an overview of the district’s student financial-assistance fund.
Disproportionality data
Tiffany Logan, the district’s special-education director, presented an analysis of initial special-education referrals dating to 2019. The district is currently identified for disproportionality: African American students make up a higher share of special-education enrollment than their share of the overall student population.
Logan said the district has 21 students who are African American and in special education; about 76% of those students were identified in-district and 62% have been enrolled since 4K or kindergarten. The most common disability categories among this group are specific learning disability (SLD) and other health impairment (OHI), each accounting for about 28% of the 21 students.
“Because the numbers are small, one or two students moving in or out adjusts percentages significantly,” Logan told the board, noting that a single family can change the percentage materially. She described next steps focused on the district’s tiered systems of support — earlier interventions in reading and math and behavioral supports — and said the district will work with DPI and continue to provide progress updates.
Student financial-assistance fund
Board members also heard a report on the district’s student financial-assistance fund, established in 2018. Administrators said the fund now typically raises and distributes approximately $50,000 per year for student needs, including AP exam fees, athletic booster fees, FFA and FTO activities, field-trip fees, clothing and winter gear, yearbooks, scholarships for graduating seniors and community-partnership participation fees. The district contributes $5,000 annually and the remainder comes from community donations and partnerships.
The fund operates confidentially through social workers and school staff so students and families who receive support are not identified publicly, administrators said.
No board vote was required; administrators said they will continue to refine disproportionality plans and report back to DPI and the board as required.
