Student Services briefed the board on proposed dashboard metrics and staffing actions for English learners and special-education students.

"My understanding is... for FY26, we're currently serving around... 2,067 students that is making up about 17% of our population of students with special education support," said Alexia Puffy Finley, director of special services, as she described new metrics the district will track, including FastBridge assessments, inclusion percentages by setting, and individual growth measures.

Karen (director of student health, safety, and wellness) reviewed ACCESS testing for English learners and explained how ACCESS scores are used to allocate services (scores range from 1 to 6; proficiency requires a 4.5 composite and minimum domain scores). She said the district uses a weighted staffing formula "that equals almost about 1 to 35" with greater weight for recently arrived newcomers. Staff reported a current EL vacancy equal to about 1.0 FTE (split across multiple buildings) and roughly 10 open special-education positions (licensed and nonlicensed). Student Services also described a mentoring program that pairs content mentors with approximately 55 new staff.

Board members pressed staff on caseload guidelines, comparisons to peer districts and how open positions are being backfilled (including use of contracted staff when appropriate). Staff said they are working to hire for open positions and are using a mix of strategies, including contracting and targeted recruitment.

Next steps: Student Services will add the proposed metrics (ACCESS, FastBridge, inclusion settings) to the board dashboard, provide additional staffing analyses, and report back on open-enrollment and peer comparisons as requested.