Board hears special education and workers' compensation reports; teachers cite pay, leave and retirement in negotiations survey

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education on March 26 received reports on special education and workers’ compensation and heard early results from a teacher negotiations survey.

Special education and gifted services: Board member Jamie highlighted that 1,787 students in the district have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and praised special education staff. Board members discussed a multi-year decline in students qualifying for gifted services and asked whether changes in testing, classroom differentiation or other factors might be contributing. Dr. Nelson said evaluation numbers for students tested for gifted services had increased, but the number qualifying had not changed enough to reverse the decline; she and other staff suggested meeting needs earlier in general education as a factor.

Workers’ compensation: A staff presenter, Abby, answered board questions about a decrease in total workers’ compensation claims shown in the written packet. Abby said the district has focused on workplace safety in support services and special education settings, overhauled training (including de-escalation and safe maneuvering for physically escalated students) and added behavior consultants to buildings; she attributed part of the decline to those efforts.

Negotiations survey: District leaders reported results from a bargaining survey that will inform upcoming negotiations. Staff listed rising cost of living and pay as the top concern, followed by leave structure and retirement/403(b) contributions. Board members said negotiations would begin soon.

Why it matters: The special education count and questions about gifted identification speak to service delivery and staffing. The workers’ comp discussion ties to staff safety and training investments; the negotiations survey outlines priorities that could affect personnel costs and contract terms.

What was said (selected points) - Jamie (board member): “I just wanna highlight the fact that we have 1,787 children with IEPs in our school district…that is substantial.” - Abby (staff): She described safety training, overhaul of training programs, and deployment of behavior consultants as factors in reduced injury claims. - Dr. Nelson (staff): “Our evaluation numbers…have gone up for the number of students that we are testing for gifted. So, yes. The number that are qualifying are not the same.”

Next steps: Board and administration will begin negotiations meetings in the coming weeks; staff will continue to report on gifted and special education metrics and on the outcomes of safety and training initiatives.