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District review recommends extra learning time, more behavior support; officials plan additional EL coordinator
Summary
A program review examined gifted services, special education and English-learner supports and recommended targeted extra learning time and an additional behavior analyst; the district plans to add a second EL coordinator position.
District staff presented findings from a program review that examined services for gifted students, students with significant disabilities and English learners, and outlined proposed changes to scheduling and staffing to increase targeted instruction and behavior supports.
The review estimated that the top 1–2% of students (about 48 fourth-graders across the district) are in the gifted range used for some identification practices, and noted the district will not change core specialized learning center (SLC) services for students with the most significant disabilities. The review highlighted two primary priorities: extra learning time and additional behavior support.
A district staff member involved in the review said extra learning time means students who need intervention should receive most of their core instruction from their classroom teacher and then receive specially designed instruction outside of the core, plus additional small-group instruction targeted by skill. “By adjusting the way we schedule students and staff, we can find time to do this and eliminate as many situations as possible where students on IEPs are getting their minutes by being pulled out of reading or math class,” the presenter said.
On behavior supports the presenter said the district plans to reallocate staff and add another behavior analyst next year to work with students who have the most significant behavioral challenges and to support families and classroom teachers. “By adding, we can support these kids, give them more intensive...support,” the presenter said.
Board members asked about English-learner staffing. A board member asked whether the two EL coordinator positions under consideration would be mirror roles or specialized. District staff said they presently plan to have one coordinator focused on elementary and one on secondary, though they would consider different configurations depending on candidate strengths.
Human Resources later presented personnel recommendations that included candidates for EL coordinator roles: Oscar Carvallo Neto (recommended as one EL coordinator) and Dr. Pete Curti (recommended as EL director), as well as related administrative moves. The HR slate and related certified contracts were part of a separate HR action approved later in the meeting.
The review did not recommend immediate changes to the specialized learning centers for students with the most significant disabilities; staff said parents of those students “may not see changes” resulting from this program review. The presentation concluded with a commitment to annual updates as the district phases in recommendations.
