District reorganizes special education leadership; board to confirm coordinator hire

The Timberlane Regional School District presented a reorganization of its special education administration and the board accepted nominations for several coordinator positions on Thursday.

Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) said the district will “nest” special education under student services to emphasize that all staff share responsibility for students with disabilities. The reorganization keeps Ginger Drexel as director of student services with a broader scope and adds coordinators at elementary, middle and high‑school levels to focus on categorical programs, staff training and procedural safeguards.

The board heard an overview of staffing counts for special education next year: administrators said the district expects to have about 59 special‑education teachers, 28 specialists, four administrative assistants and approximately 96 paraeducators, with four administrators assigned to special education. The superintendent read the district’s new primary focus statement: strengthening relationships with families, students and colleagues to promote safety, belonging and connection.

The board reviewed candidate Jonathan Verdi (nomination listed in the packet as “Jonathan Verdi” / “John Verity” in discussion) for the high‑school special‑education coordinator role. Verdi introduced himself and summarized his background in special education administration, juvenile justice, community health and programs for adolescents, and described a collaborative, strength‑based approach. “Students need to feel safe, supported, and successful to have a good experience,” Verdi said.

Trustees raised questions about the role of building facilitators (teaching positions that run IEP meetings and perform some evaluations) and whether families will understand whom to contact. The superintendent and administrators said family contact points remain the special‑education teacher, the building principal and the building coordinator; they pledged clearer building‑level communication to reduce confusion.

The board moved to accept the professional nominations for Jonathan Verdi (high‑school coordinator) and Christine Carter (French teacher) and later approved the renomination of Corey Surratt (special‑education teacher) and accepted the retirement of Dan Donovan, a long‑time physical‑education teacher. Motions were made and seconded; votes were recorded as carried in the meeting minutes.

Administrators said they will supply an organizational chart to clarify reporting lines and will return with formal job descriptions and rollout communications for families.