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Beatrice schools buy house near high school for 18–21 transition program
Summary
The board approved purchasing 2707 Scott Street for $240,000 to house the district's 18–21 transition (Choice) program, a move staff said would reduce long-term rental costs and expand independent living instruction for students with disabilities.
The Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of property at 2707 Scott Street for $240,000 to provide a permanent site for the district’s 18–21 transition (Choice) program.
Beth, the district’s special education coordinator, told the board the Choice 18–21 program serves about five to 10 students per year and focuses on transition services—daily living, vocational work and supported employment—required for some students with disabilities through age 21. “As a district, we are required to provide services for some students through the age of 21, and that’s determined by their disability and their IEP team,” Beth said, adding that a permanent house near the high school would make it easier to integrate students in the alternate curriculum into daily life‑skills work.
Beth said the property’s location, directly by the high school, would reduce the need to transport students for programming and allow greater, more frequent practice of independent living skills. The administration also noted that since October 2020 the district has paid about $44,000 in rent for Choice program space. Beth told the board that the seller will leave the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher.
Board members asked about program outcomes and inspections. Roberta Lane Weber, the program teacher, described positive placement outcomes: students commonly move into supported employment and supported living after completing the program, and the program has received favorable transition survey feedback from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Beth said there has been an inspection performed via the real-estate agent but the district had not yet hired an independent inspector.
Several board members suggested the house could provide hands-on learning opportunities for other students as well, and the district discussed minor repairs that could be completed by district personnel or students under supervision.
The board voted to approve the purchase. The administration said the house would allow the district to stabilize a long-running program that has used six different locations over time and to reduce recurring rent expenses going forward.
