District highlights growth in special education, expands 95% literacy program and plans autism-program transfer

School District special-education leaders told the board that enrollment and services for students with disabilities have grown and that a newly expanded literacy program is producing early signs of progress.

"Our special education staff are truly exceptional in their dedication, expertise, and compassion," Brandy Rosander, the district’s director of special education, said during the board’s 4.2 agenda item. Rosander and Mary Dimato, coordinator of student supports, reviewed staffing, service models and program changes across the district.

The presentation underscored three near-term priorities: expanding the 95% Group literacy curriculum in special day classes, adding a district occupational therapist and taking back county-run autism classes onto district campuses. Rosander said the district recently hired Caitlin Wall as the district occupational therapist and that Wall ‘‘serves students at all the school sites’’ with a caseload of about 68.

Rosander described 95% Group as an "evidence-based literacy solution" used in a walk-to-learn model in the special day classes. Teachers and staff in a recorded classroom segment told the board they had seen measurable gains in confidence and reading behaviors since the program began. In a recorded comment shown to the board, a teacher identified as Mackenzie said, "I have seen more confidence when my students are reading," and that students were willing to try words they previously would have avoided.

Rosander said the district will take back two Kern County Office of Education (KCOE) autism classes currently located at Norris Elementary and add a county class at Norris Middle School, transferring some students in the 2025–26 school year and additional students the following year. "For the upcoming school year, we plan to transfer approximately 18 students, and the following year will be approximately 20," she said.

The presenters also described other supports: a range of classified aides, behavioral aides and partnerships with county agencies and local nonprofits to support foster youth and McKinney-Vento families. Rosander reported that McKinney-Vento students make up about 0.2% of district enrollment, a 0.4 percentage-point decrease from the prior year, and foster youth represent about 0.6%, a 0.1 percentage-point increase.

Board members praised the staff and the classroom video shown during the presentation. Superintendent Silver and others thanked the teachers and staff for their work and encouraged continued professional development tied to the program.

The board did not take any formal action on the special-education report at the meeting; the item was presented as an informational update with follow-up questions reserved for future meetings.