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Board keeps unlimited general-education open enrollment, restricts special-education seats
Summary
For the 2025–26 school year the Stevens Point board approved unlimited general-education open-enrollment seats but set strict limits on special-education openings (0 in most categories, 1 for PODS, 3 for Project SEARCH).
The Stevens Point Area Public School District board set its open-enrollment seats for 2025–26, continuing an unlimited policy for general-education applicants while restricting special-education openings.
District staff member Jenny presented annual recommendations and explained the board can set separate limits for general education and special education seats. She recommended unlimited seats for general education and tight caps for special education because district special-education caseloads are already high.
Specifically the board approved: unlimited general-education seats for 4K and nonresident students; special-education limits of zero seats for multi-categorical/all-disability early childhood through grades K–6 and grades 7–12 in-district programs; one multi-categorical seat for PODS (the district charter) and three multi-categorical seats for Project SEARCH, an employment-preparation program. Staff said Project SEARCH has a screening process and that PODS’ charter application process makes the single spot suitable for applicants who match the program.
Board members noted that special-education funding does not fully cover costs and acknowledged accepting out-of-district special-education students can affect district budgets and classroom workloads. “Accepting special ed students really does cost us money every time we accept one,” a board member said during the discussion.
The motions reflected Jenny’s recommendations and passed on board votes.
