Community raises alarms over special-education staffing as board approves personnel report

The board approved the personnel summary (H1) for Aug. 27, which included 13 recommended assignments, 4 resignations, 1 retirement, assignment changes and 18 coaching assignments. Public comment centered on special-education staffing: union leadership noted that among the recent hires and resignations several positions involved special-education teachers and instructional assistants and highlighted an early‑August resignation by a veteran special-education teacher who wrote she "did not feel supported." Union speakers and public commenters described a significant turnover pattern, referenced a prior sped director who left mid-year, and urged the board to investigate causes and consider a comprehensive special-education audit.

During the public comment period, one speaker asked for more transparency about whether the board had received the veteran teacher’s resignation letter and called for district leadership to address program dysfunction. Community members also urged the board to add an agenda item for a special-education audit to clarify costs, programmatic changes, and future staffing solutions. Trustees moved to approve the personnel summary and the motion passed.

Board members and members of the public requested follow-up reporting on special-education staffing, costs associated with contractor backfills, and possible agenda items to study the program further.

The board approved the personnel actions as presented; public requests for an SPED audit and a clearer plan for retaining experienced special-education staff were noted for future agenda consideration.