Candidates emphasize bringing special‑needs students back to district and expanding supports

Candidates answered audience questions about supporting students with autism and other special needs, stressing individualized planning, inclusive placements and early intervention.

Candidate Kimberly Talbot said bringing special‑needs students back into district buildings, when appropriate, would improve inclusion and offer community continuity. “We need to focus on bringing our students with special needs back into the buildings,” she said, adding that programs must match individual needs and focus on strengths.

Angela Piazza, a speech‑language pathologist, said early‑intervention services and school‑based programs can reduce later referrals to special education and help students succeed academically and socially. “If we can bring some of our students home… it creates a sense of belonging for our students,” she said.

Candidates urged consultations with families and teachers to design individualized placement and services, ensure least‑restrictive environments and consider staff capacity in any shift from out‑of‑district placements back into district schools. The forum did not include specific staffing or budget commitments.