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Board hears special education snapshot; district schedules external review
Summary
District reported special education staffing and service delivery, noted a classification rate of 18% (district) versus 19% statewide, described UPK screenings, summer supports, and said Alliance Education Associates will begin a 3–4 month special education analysis with on-site interviews.
Assistant Superintendent Beistreich and special education leaders presented an overview of services, staffing and procedures for students with disabilities and preschool‑age services.
Slides and presenters documented program breadth (122 special education teachers plus related service staff) and a district classification rate the presenters said was 18% (noted alongside a statewide reference of 19%). Donna Ringholz summarized preschool procedures: UPK has 391 approved spots; 191 parents returned consent forms for Buffalo State speech-language screenings this year and 12 children were referred from that screening for further evaluation. Ashley Degotti highlighted summer RISE reading programming and a summer behavior support program that the district runs to maintain academic and social gains.
Beistreich announced the district will begin a special education analysis with Alliance Education Associates, with on-site interviews and document review to run roughly three to four months and include a sampling of staff from each building. The review will examine processes, placements (including BOCES and agency placements), training and funding sources to identify opportunities to strengthen services and procedures.
Board members heard the data and thanked staff for the work; no formal motions on special education funding or program changes were taken at the meeting.
