Dr. Candice Burkhart, executive director of student services for South Saint Paul Public Schools, told the school board on Nov. 24 that her department provides a wide array of supports spanning academic access, social-emotional and behavioral services, physical and mental health planning, and specialized instruction.

Burkhart said about 20.8% of district students — roughly 605 learners — currently receive special education services and that the district provides a continuum of placements so most students remain in general‑education settings when appropriate. She described tiered supports under MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports), with universal tier‑1 services for all students, targeted tier‑2 small‑group interventions, and individualized tier‑3 supports including IEPs and individual health plans.

“We need all of these to be successful,” Burkhart said, describing the department as “grounded in access, equity and student‑centered problem solving.” She reviewed district partnerships and programs the department hosts or supports, including the DASH program and county partnerships that provide specialized therapies and family assistance.

Burkhart highlighted professional staffing (about 150 team members serving birth through age 22), efforts to lower special‑education caseloads relative to nearby districts, and training that includes de‑escalation and a new pilot tool called Okeru at early‑childhood and elementary levels. She also described expansions in unified programming and work‑based learning in partnership with Special Olympics Minnesota and said the district is piloting “grow your own” teacher recruitment strategies and international teacher initiatives to strengthen staffing pipelines.

Board members praised the department’s work and its documented progress. After her presentation, Burkhart announced that Nov. 24 would be her final meeting as executive director and that she plans to return to teaching. “It’s been an honor to work alongside of you and to serve this community for the last two and a half years,” she said.

The board offered thanks and well wishes; members said they appreciated the depth of services and the department’s focus on early intervention and sustainable workloads for special‑education staff. The district did not announce an interim or replacement timeline at the meeting.