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Pender County special education director seeks more inclusive events, surveys Special Olympics move to New Hanover
Summary
The district's Exceptional Children director reported a parent survey favoring hosting Special Olympics in New Hanover this year, and outlined steps to make school dances and proms fully inclusive of students with disabilities.
Kendi Walker, director of Exceptional Children (EC) services for Pender County Schools, updated the board on EC training, the district’s role in Special Olympics and a pilot co‑teaching preschool program.
Walker said a district survey of parents produced 105 responses and that 67% favored transporting students to New Hanover County’s Special Olympics this year because Pender Parks & Rec did not have the manpower to take on the event. "By us hosting it they don't get to go to the state or the other levels," Walker said, adding the district hopes to return as host in future years if Parks & Rec can develop capacity.
Inclusion at dances and proms Walker told the board the district would stop holding separate EC proms that excluded some students and instead pursue universal access at regular school dances and events, using accommodations such as sensory spaces, headphones and additional staff support. "We are not going to do that separate dance because it is not it's not right for all students," Walker said.
Other EC items - Training: Walker described recent trainings for staff and plans to expand co‑teaching training so EC is delivered as a service rather than a separate placement. - Pilot program: Rocky Point Elementary is piloting co‑teaching in two NC Pre‑K classrooms; four EC students were participating in the initial pilot and staff are monitoring impact on kindergarten readiness.
Board members pressed for clearer parent communication about Special Olympics rules (for example, whether parents can accompany students onto the field) and asked Walker to circulate expectations. Walker also said staff are asking administrators and principals to think through after‑hours staffing needs for inclusive events.
Ending: Walker asked the board for support in messaging and for resources to increase staff training and support; she flagged staffing and recruitment as ongoing priorities.
