Superintendent Tim told the committee the district will launch a search for a permanent director of student services after interim leadership from Lori Cimino. The posting and job description are scheduled for Dec. 1; screening-team applications will be accepted through Dec. 15, with the screening team to begin work Jan. 7 (including anti-bias training). Tim said the posting will close Jan. 12, with first-round interviews and finalist site visits the week of Jan. 26 and a superintendent recommendation to the committee in advance of the Feb. 5 budget vote.

On special education, Tim said the district retained Rebus Associates (led by Bill Lupini and Karen Schmulker) and expanded the scope of work because of a leadership change in the department and significant turnover in ABA tutor staff. The consultants will add interviews with gen-ed teachers, additional family members and IAs/ABAs and run a broader staff and family survey; because of the added scope, the final report originally planned for December will be pushed to January so budget planning can be informed by preliminary recommendations.

Why it matters: Filling the director of student services role is a step toward restoring leadership stability for special education; expanding the review aims to produce more comprehensive recommendations but delays the district's public report timeline.

Next steps: The district will accept screening-team applications through Dec. 15; the superintendent will return to the committee with finalist recommendations and the consultants will deliver the expanded special-education review in January.