District staff urges new special schools, post‑high programs ahead of 3‑way split

Alpine School District special‑education staff told the school board on Oct. 14 that current special schools and post‑high programs are at capacity and that the district should establish a special school and an adult transition program in each of the three future districts created by the planned split.

The recommendation, presented by Roy Darrington, was delivered at a study session and built on roughly $6.5 million in tax‑increment investments already directed to special‑education services. Darrington said the money has allowed the district to convert $4,000,000 from one‑time or soft funding to ongoing funds for paraeducator support, add roughly $469,000 in FY25 to reduce caseloads, and add classroom‑size reductions and personnel in FY26 (including six speech‑language positions and roughly 2.5 small‑group classes). He also said the district maintains an ongoing $250,000 paraflexibility fund to respond to midyear needs.

Why it matters: Darrington framed the recommendations as both a legal and moral obligation. He cited the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related U.S. Department of Education rules that require a continuum of least‑restrictive environments (LRE) for students with disabilities and argued that the district must ensure equity, sustainability, compliance and access as it prepares to split into three districts.

“We cannot, in good faith, stand up here and recommend anything other than that there is an independent post‑high program in every district and a special school in every district,” Darrington told the board. He said special schools serve students with the…