District projects net increase of about 5.25 FTE for 2025–26; special education demand drives staffing growth

Scott Garner, the district director of talent and staffing, presented an overview of the School District of Janesville’s 2025–26 staffing plan at the April 7 board meeting and said the enrollment-driven staffing recommendations show a net increase of 5.25 FTE.

Garner said the plan reflects small decreases in total general enrollment (a net loss of roughly 200 students over several years) but a substantial increase in identified special education students. "Our general student enrollment over five years has gone down roughly 200 kids," Garner said, "but our special education enrollment has increased about 200 kids." He described the net effect as a need to add special education staff while managing sections and schedule changes across grades.

Highlights Garner provided: elementary staffing shows a net decrease of 3 FTE covered by attrition (no involuntary layoffs tied to enrollment); middle-school staffing increases driven by Edison’s larger sixth-grade cohort required a 2.63 FTE addition at the middle level; high schools show an enrollment-driven reduction of about 1.05 FTE (one notified affected position); and the overall district net change is +5.25 FTE.

Garner explained some district scheduling practices behind the plan. The district continues to prioritize reduced teacher-to-pupil ratios in K–2, grade 6 and grade 9 to ease transitions. He said the district tries to avoid fractional contracts (0.7–0.8 FTE) and instead makes staff whole through duties or study halls when possible. He noted that one full-time equivalent is budgeted at roughly $90,000 and estimated the staffing increase will cost the district roughly $500,000 in recurring payroll expense.

Kim Piranboom, director of special education, described targeted special education additions: two cross-categorical positions each at Franklin and Edison to staff rising sixth-grade cohorts, expansion of an intellectual-disability program at Kennedy, and reopening a program at Edison because nearby programs and placements are full. Piranboom also told the board that neighboring districts (Milton and Edgerton) plan to close open enrollment for special education, which could return about 50 students to Janesville and add further demand for services.

Garner and board members discussed charter and P4J (prekindergarten) staffing. P4J enrollment stood at 44 on the date of the presentation, about 44 fewer than the prior year at the same point, but Garner cautioned such counts are fluid and frequently change late in the enrollment cycle. He said Jackson and Wilson will see kindergarten increases tied to P4J transitions and that staffing minutes and paraprofessional time are adjusted by formula.

Board members asked about recruitment for special education positions; Garner and Piranboom said the district started early, offered conditional offers to student teachers and engaged in active recruitment. Garner said principals work closely together on scheduling and that the staffing plan will be recommended for board approval the following night.

No binding action on the staffing plan was taken at the April 7 presentation; the administration said it would bring a recommendation for formal approval at the next board meeting.