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Special education enrollment, autism rising in Chambersburg; district cites staffing and fiscal pressures
Summary
District officials told the board the special education population has grown to 16.4 percent and autism cases have risen to 17 percent in 2023–24; the department outlined staffing levels, contract spending, audit findings and options for new revenue and administrative roles.
Chambersburg Area School District officials told the school board on Feb. 25 that special education enrollment has increased over the last decade and that services and contracted placements are driving large cost increases.
Director of Special Education Sherry Sullivan and 9–12 special education supervisor Dr. Emily Goodine presented enrollment and outcomes data, department staffing, cost drivers and internal-audit findings. “As far back as 2013–14, we were at 11.3 percent; moving up to 2023–24 our population grew to 16.4 percent,” Sullivan said. “Under the autism category, we rose to 17 percent in 2023–24, compared with 13.9 percent statewide.”
Sullivan and administrators said the district projects autism could reach about 20 percent of special education classifications by 2028 under the planned reconfiguration of grades and buildings. The department reported a districtwide special education population of about 1,550 students…
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