Nantucket schools report rise in special-education enrollment; new IEP system and wraparound services expanded

NANTUCKET, Mass. — At the May 20 Nantucket School Committee meeting, district special‑services leaders said 354 students were currently qualified for special‑education plans and described implementation steps after a state integrated program monitoring visit.

"We weren't surprised by any of the findings. They're easily managed," Deb Galey, director of special services, told the committee, describing preliminary results of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) site visit and the district’s work to address compliance items.

The special‑education update outlined why the issue matters locally: the district’s caseload grew to 354 active plans from about 335 the prior year, creating demand for in‑district supports, out‑of‑district placements and more coordination with outside providers.

Michelle Cadavid, special‑education coordinator, said the district is supporting "354 students that are currently qualified" and reported that 10 of those students are in out‑of‑district residential placements. Cadavid told the committee the data presented were collected as of May 12.

District staff said the special‑education rate in…