Board approves updated special‑education delivery plan, including new caseload matrix

The Indianola Community School District board on Dec. 9 approved an updated special‑education delivery plan that includes a new caseload matrix intended to standardize how the district measures teacher workloads and triggers additional staffing.

Staff presented the measure as a tool to ensure the district’s caseloads align with similarly sized districts and reflect added paperwork and service expectations since recent shifts in Area Education Agency (AEA) responsibilities. "This is how we determine if a Special Ed teacher is needed…if it gets to this level, we have to look at adding another special ed teacher because the caseload is overloaded," said Staff member Sarah, who highlighted the matrix.

The plan proposes a target range of 60 to 75 points per certified special‑education teacher; staff said the district currently has 35 special‑education teachers who will fill out rosters under the new matrix to generate point totals and identify needs. Administrators acknowledged that meeting the matrix target immediately could require hiring and that the matrix establishes a multi‑year goal rather than an immediate staffing change in every case.

Board members noted the matrix focuses on certificated staff only and does not replace individual IEP decisions about paraeducator (TA) support. "This does not factor in TAs…This is only for certified staff," a staff presenter said.

The board approved the plan by a 6‑0 vote; staff said they will post positions if the matrix indicates additional certified hires are needed and will review the plan on a five‑year cycle.

The approved plan also aligns the district’s special‑education language with its mission and vision, clarifies the full continuum of services available in all buildings and proposes regular reviews of caseloads against the matrix.