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Shenendehowa updates special education continuum, adds classrooms and administrative reorganization
Summary
District special education leaders reported no wholesale changes to the continuum but added three new classrooms, realigned elementary academic administrators from one covering eight buildings to two covering four buildings each, and aligned behavior specialists to buildings to strengthen relationships with families.
At the Shenendehowa Board of Education study session, the district’s special education presenter said the 2025‑26 special education plan keeps the existing continuum of services but adds classrooms and administrative realignment intended to increase continuity and family relationships.
Why it matters: The changes affect the district’s special education capacity and case management structure and are intended to improve continuity of services for students and families across early grades.
The presenter said the additions include two kindergarten classrooms focused on individual skills development at Orenda and one additional K‑2 functional skills classroom at Shatocon. The presenter also described a reorganization of special education academic administration: where one elementary academic administrator had been responsible for eight buildings, the district now has two administrators each assigned to four buildings; those administrators will share assigned CPSC students to provide continuity from age 3 through fifth grade. Behavior specialists were realigned to the same building assignments.
The presenter listed goals for 2025‑26 including office management and organizational effectiveness (aligned k‑12 processes), building leadership capacity, fostering collaboration among building staff and families, and continuing inclusive practices aligned with the New York State Education Department blueprint for improving results for students with disabilities.
Board members asked whether the Maxwell reorganization had been incorporated into the special education plan; the presenter said Maxwell changes were not included in this year’s plan and that many implementation details remained under discussion.
Ending: The board praised staff for the work and encouraged continued engagement with families and building leaders as implementation details are finalized.
