Emily Peterson said the new district must prioritize continuity of special‑education services after the split, including preschool early‑intervention and the Dan Peterson special‑education program.

Peterson said the Alpine board is “putting really at the top of our list” how to keep special education services operating without interruption. She said there is a five‑year agreement that will allow continued use of Dan Peterson for students from the area while leaders plan a local solution. Peterson added that remodeling an existing school or tearing down and rebuilding approaches have similar costs, and that having the special‑education facility within the new district would increase grant funding.

In addition to the K‑12 special program, Peterson noted early intervention services for preschool‑age children (speech delay, autism screening, hearing tests) will also be the new district’s responsibility and should be considered for co‑location with any future Dan Peterson replacement.