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Lakeland School reports therapist caseloads limit ability to accept tuition students
Summary
Lakeland School officials told the Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board that while classroom space exists, shortages and vacancies among therapists and special-education teachers mean the school cannot take on new tuition students now; a space-availability study will be revisited in July.
Lakeland School staff told the Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board on April 23 that the district cannot accept new tuition students at this time because therapy staff are at or above their capacity.
The school is currently serving 37 students, including participants in its 18-to-21 (LSU) program, and staff reported that occupational- and physical-therapy caseloads are “all over 70 percent,” with speech and language therapists also over capacity even though that department is fully staffed. Lakeland staff said the combination of high therapy caseloads, behaviour-regulation plans and vacancies prevents the school from adding tuition students even when classroom seats are available.
A staff presenter said the school has one occupational-therapy position and three special-education teacher vacancies and that the occupational-therapy opening has been posted for most of the school year without a hire. The presenter said the school will track student departures (for example, graduation) and expected new enrollments and will complete a full space-availability study at the end of the third trimester, with results to be shared with the Children with Disabilities Education Board in July.
Board members asked about the reasons for rising complexity among students. Lakeland staff and board members discussed two contributing factors: districts across Wisconsin are expanding services that allow some students to remain in their home district, and an observed statewide increase in students with more complex academic, medical, behavioral or physical needs. Sarah Singleton, identified in the meeting as the assistant director, was noted as the staff member working with sending districts on enrollment and placement decisions.
The board voted to accept the space-availability study and directed staff to return with updated numbers and the full study later in the year.
The board discussion made clear the fiscal and operational trade-offs of adding tuition students: bringing on tuition students may produce tuition revenue but also increases demand for specialized therapists and staff the school currently cannot absorb without hires.
Board action: Motion to accept the space-availability study (mover: Ken Monroe; second: Al Stanek). The motion passed after an aye vote with no recorded opposition.
A follow-up presentation on July agenda items was indicated; staff said they will report enrollment changes and any changes in vacancy status at that time.
