Nicole Crawford and EL coordinator Shannon Hubach told the education committee that English-language (EL) enrollment has increased substantially since May 2022 and that additional middle-school support is necessary.

Crawford said the district's EL population grew by roughly 190 students over the cited period and that a disproportionate share of current needs are concentrated at the middle-school level. "We have a need that's grown particularly at the middle school level," she said, noting higher caseloads at specific buildings and the district's current EL staffing allocations.

The administration proposed hiring one temporary EL specialist for the remainder of the school year to split time between the two middle schools with the greatest need, using educational-initiative funds to cover the cost and reassessing permanence during next year's staffing cycle. Administrators also noted existing Title III and consolidated-grant resources and four temporary Title III positions funded through grants.

Board members asked for the accounting of exited EL students and clarification on whether the 118 students who had left the program were counted in the enrollment totals; administrators said the monitoring and reporting frames differ and confirmed they will present clarified counts. The committee did not take a formal vote; the proposal was discussed for possible administrative action and budget planning.