Board hears recommendation to post STAR curriculum for special‑education classrooms

District special‑education leaders presented a recommendation to post the STAR curriculum for community feedback ahead of a final approval vote.

Kara Bradwell, the district’s special education coordinator, and Dr. Britney Blatt, the district behavior specialist, told the board the committee narrowed its review to two programs and recommended STAR because it is currently used in other Utah districts, includes Utah‑based trainers and model classrooms, and bundled training was included in the quoted cost. "By having the STAR program, we have bridals classrooms that teachers can visit, parents can visit. They have a Utah based trainer," Dr. Blatt said.

Staff described the process: school‑based committees and a full committee (parents, administrators and related‑service professionals) met to evaluate presentations, pilot access and program materials; community feedback will be solicited through a 30‑day posting on the district website and a December 3 community meeting if the board approves posting that day.

Board members asked about rollout scope. Dr. Blatt said staff plan to pilot in preschool settings and in a Trailside classroom with a concentration of the higher‑need profile before any broader expansion; she noted the curriculum is appropriate for developmental levels up to the cognitive capacity of about nine years and includes assessments tied to IEP goals.

If approved after the community comment period, staff said they will return to the board in December for final approval and then begin scheduled training and classroom implementation.

Next step: if the board approves posting, the district will host the public comment window and community meeting and return with a final adoption recommendation in December.