Manhasset board holds first reading to extend special-education services to age 22; trustees discuss transition supports

At a first reading of Policy 4772 and its accompanying regulation, trustees discussed a change brought by State Education Department guidance to extend Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through age 22.

The draft policy language before the board reads, as proposed, ‘‘until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.’’ Board members and special-education staff debated options: adopt the proposed wording tied to the school year end (June 30), keep a birthday-based transition, or create a hybrid approach (allowing a student to remain through the term in which a birthday falls). Ms. Peterson and others emphasized continuity: ‘‘to have create a policy that would create a burden for them with transitions just wouldn't make sense,’’ and argued that transitions for this vulnerable population are best aligned with normal school-year break points.

Trustees raised the need for clearer supports and family communication. Several trustees recommended adding coordination language to the policy to clarify who helps families plan transition services and timelines. The board discussed using shared services (BOCES) for a transition coordinator or otherwise planning for coordination work in future budgets, with staff noting that a policy can describe the coordination process without creating a funded full-time position.

Trustees also reported a recent National School Boards Association (NSBA) resolution about special-education reimbursement and said they would provide additional information about possible retroactive reimbursement mechanisms to the board. No final policy vote was taken; the board will return with revised language and data analysis about how many students would be affected before a subsequent reading and vote.