Parkrose leaders outline LEAP program funding, say district covers staff costs; seek state help for high-cost disabilities
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Summary
District staff explained that the LEAP 18–21 program is funded from high-school budgets for personnel and receives limited additional funds for supplies; leaders said changes to high-cost disability funding at the state level could affect district staffing capacity.
District finance and program staff described the LEAP program — a job-skills and life-skills program for students ages 18 to 21 with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — and explained how it is funded.
"LEAP is our program for kids that are 18 to 21," the district’s budget officer said, describing the program’s purpose and funding sources. Staff said certified teachers and paraprofessionals for LEAP are paid from high-school budgets, and the program receives extra small allocations for substitutes, supplies, utilities and community-based work opportunities; the program has one teacher and three paraprofessionals assigned.
District staff said LEAP students often participate in internships and community work placements and that the program can lead to part-time or full-time employment for some participants. Staff noted that prior donations from the district education foundation have supported optional activities but that a restricted funding pool is currently exhausted.
On the district’s balance sheet, staff identified the state’s high-cost disability reimbursement structure as a potential lever for restoring positions. Staff said the district would benefit if legislative changes raised the current cap on reimbursements (the meeting referenced an "11% cap") or otherwise increased state reimbursement for high-cost special-education placements; they flagged House Bill 2448 (described in the meeting as addressing high-cost disability) and noted that changes at the state level could allow the district to fund more positions.
Budget committee members asked for details on staffing and funding sources; staff said the district pays for LEAP personnel from regular school budgets and supplements with limited external funds when available. Committee members did not take any formal action regarding LEAP funding during the meeting.
