School board approves $150,000 consultant review of special education after parents and teachers raise concerns

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on a voice and machine vote approved a professional services contract with Public Consulting Group (PCG) not to exceed $150,000 to conduct a district-wide special education review and provide implementation support aligned with state monitoring requirements. The motion to approve the contract was made by Mr. Martin and seconded by Ms. Paul Lewis; the chair announced the motion carries.

Board members, parents and special-education staff pressed for a comprehensive review during extended discussion and public comment. Donella Washington, a special education teacher at Bella Del Rey Elementary, told the board, "we are overwhelmed with work because we don't have enough SPED teachers IN OUR SYSTEM." Parent Trinetta Williams said monitoring alone is insufficient without "direct tangible resources, adaptive learning materials specifically designed for children with CVI and multiple disabilities."

The superintendent and district officials described recent oversight by a special master and said that PCG will build on that work. Dr. Harris (district official) said the special master audited IEP folders and visited multiple sites but "did not do a comprehensive review of the entire special education program in EBR," and that the PCG contract is intended to provide a full evaluation, recommendations for best practices and help with recruitment and training efforts.

Board members repeatedly cited staffing shortages and the need for certification pathways for special-education teachers. At one point the superintendent reported the district employed 329 ESS teachers as of August 2025 and agreed to provide the number who hold required special-education certification. Several members urged clear key performance indicators and measurable outcomes for the PCG engagement.

Public commenters and board members asked how PCG's work will translate into classroom improvements and how results will be measured. District officials said PCG will deliver an evaluative review, recommend best practices, and provide professional development and coaching that district staff can continue after the consultant's work ends. District staff described using coaching cycles, compliance facilitators, classroom observations and teacher-evaluation rubrics as means to measure progress.

The vote concluded the formal action; board members and staff said they expect the contract to be followed by measurable professional development and implementation steps and to inform the district's response to forthcoming state monitoring.