'Landon's Project' presented as district therapeutic-classroom pilot; medical partners commit support

Washington County Public Schools officials, family members and local medical providers presented an update on "Landon's Project" during the board's Aug. 5 work session, describing a pilot to open two enhanced classrooms at Funkstown Elementary for students whose needs exceed current programming.

The presentation was opened by a family member identified as Benito and included Landon, the student whose experience inspired the project. Administrators said the project grew from conversations between the family, district staff and medical professionals and is intended to bring educational, medical and university resources together in one space to support students and families.

District staff said they have secured grant funding to hire a coordinator for the project; the board will receive details about that grant at the August board meeting. The initial model calls for two enhanced classrooms at Funkstown, with approximately five students per classroom, staffed by two teachers and two paraprofessionals. District presenters described the classrooms as a district resource that can inform services across schools, including distribution of sensory and adaptive materials and parent engagement events.

Medical partners at the presentation included Dr. Annie Rao (local pediatrician), Dr. Vandana Sajankila (community pediatrician) and a physician who identified himself as chief medical officer at Meredith Medicine. They described the project's multidisciplinary approach: teachers and behavior specialists would provide most day-to-day interventions, and physicians would provide oversight, coordinate with primary-care providers, and help families navigate medical needs. One presenter characterized the physicians' expected time commitment as part-time clinical collaboration (roughly half a day per week volunteered in planning/oversight roles) while emphasizing that behavior-focused therapies would be the primary in-class interventions.

Family and community speakers framed the project as a response to unmet needs. Benito (grandfather) described Landon's early diagnosis and the family's efforts to secure therapies; Steve O'Farrell, a parent and former CCAC chair, described the financial and practical burdens families face and called the plan a potential "game changer." School staff emphasized that while autism was a motivating example, the classrooms are intended for students with a range of complex needs that current comprehensive-school programming does not adequately serve.

Key details presented: - Location: Funkstown Elementary (initial pilot) - Classrooms: 2 enhanced classrooms - Students: about 5 students per classroom (initial planning figure) - Staffing: planned staffing for the two classrooms is two teachers and two paraprofessionals - Coordinator: district has secured grant funding to hire a coordinator; grant name/amount not specified in the public presentation - Partners: local pediatricians and Meredith Medicine have committed time and collaboration

What the board asked: Board members asked for operational details about a student's day in the program, how medical providers would interact with the school day, and how services would scale to students in general school settings. District staff said the model is intended to be flexible, with most direct service delivered by teachers and therapists and medical staff offering oversight and support for coordination with outside providers.

Next steps: Staff will present the grant details and staffing plan at the August board meeting and continue work with community medical partners and the advisory board. No formal board vote to adopt the program structure was recorded at this meeting; the session served as an informational and planning discussion.