Special services and nursing staff outline supports, close corrective action with MDE

Dr. Cobb, identified as the district’s director of special services, told the board the department is restructuring to increase daily presence of compliance managers and behavior specialists in buildings, distributing a monthly newsletter, and strengthening family relationships after a period of intensive corrective work. He said the district’s corrective action plan had been verified and closed by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).

Dr. Cobb described Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the district’s processes for documenting interventions, conducting observations (45–60 minutes), and aligning staff allocations to student needs. He said special-education paraprofessional support must be tied to IEP eligibility and evidence of need.

Nurse Denise Mohammed presented health-office visit data for October–November, including 51 asthma/respiratory visits, 194 medication-administration visits, 16 students with diabetes, and 10 seizure-related visits. Mohammed highlighted a case in which a fourth-grade student received a home referral to Healthy Kids Connection — including delivery of a nebulizer and daily controller medication — that improved the student’s attendance and classroom engagement. “We’re committed to ensuring all Hamtramck families have access to resources,” she said.

Both presenters emphasized family engagement, outreach and coaching for teachers; Dr. Cobb announced a district Parent University to begin after the break with monthly sessions on topics from pre-K through high school. Board members thanked staff for the reports; no formal action was taken during these presentations.