South Colonie outlines special education priorities, proposes UPK expansion and staffing requests for 2025–26 budget

South Colonie Central School District officials presented the district’s special education and student‑support priorities and initial budget requests to the Board of Education on Feb. 25, pressing the need to address preschool service wait lists, out‑of‑district placements and program continuity as the district prepares its 2025–26 budget.

Melissa Willman, director of special education and student support services, told the board the department has focused on consistent practices, data‑driven decision making and recalibration of services after an internal audit. Willman said the district has added two physical therapists and a part‑time school psychologist to integrate services more closely with student teams and said staff conducted an educational‑benefit review of redacted individual education programs (IEPs) that found students were receiving educational benefit but identified areas for refinement.

The presentation outlined several enrollment‑driven issues and proposed responses. Willman said about 30 students are placed outside the district — including one residential placement — and that…