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WJCC outlines special education staffing needs, grant transitions and ongoing local funding burden
Summary
Special-education staff said the division’s December 1 count rose slightly and recommended adding a 0.5 teacher FTE, four teacher assistants and transitioning several grant-funded positions to the operating budget.
District special education staff reported a modest increase in students receiving special education services and described a package of staffing changes and funding transitions to maintain required levels of service.
"The December 1 count for this year shows an overall increase of 5 students," said Dr. Brown (special education staff) during the budget presentation, adding the division’s special education percentage is about 16.4 percent of K–12 enrollment. Staff said caseloads fluctuate monthly as new IEPs are written and students transfer into the district.
To meet student needs, staff recommended adding a 0.5 teacher FTE at James River Elementary and four teacher assistant positions across the division; the presentation said some of those positions were added midyear but are not yet permanently budgeted. Staff emphasized that federal funding covers roughly 9 percent of special education costs, state funding about 21 percent and local funding approximately 70 percent — making special education among the most significant locally funded obligations.
Staff also recommended transitioning four speech-language pathologists and the K–5 literacy coordinator from grant funding to the operating budget and noted the district is in the final year of eligibility for an elementary security officer grant. The presentation estimated a minimum of $250,000 in local match would be required even if the district receives grant renewals for the nine positions it is considering moving into operating funds.
Board members asked about recruitment and current vacancies. Special education staffing vacancies were described as a market-wide challenge; staff noted four current unfilled special-education teacher positions and said the district sometimes uses contracted services to meet needs when staff cannot be hired directly.
Why it matters: Special education services are legally required and costly. The division’s request to convert grant-funded roles to operating funds and to add teacher/assistant FTEs increases recurring local obligations and will be central to FY26 budget negotiations.
