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USDB superintendents outline enrichment priorities and staffing needs for deaf and blind schools
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Summary
Superintendents from USDB’s schools for the blind and deaf updated the committee on enrichment surveys, assistive‑technology orders, staffing vacancies, extracurricular events and an estimated $300,000 additional funding need for the School for the Deaf.
At the Jan. 13 USDB standing committee meeting, Associate Superintendent Susan Patton (School for the Blind) and Superintendent Tanner (School for the Deaf) briefed members on program activity and resourcing needs.
Patton summarized recent surveys of teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs), parents and students showing strong support for enrichment funds and recommended new line items to target local, inclusive activities. She said USDB would request $75,000 for TVI‑applied local field trip or activity support and $35,000 for campus teachers to support enrichment activities. Patton also reported the ALMC completed about 1,500 orders this year and highlighted staffing vacancies (three intervener vacancies in deafblind positions and a vacancy in outreach serving Canyon School District).
Superintendent Tanner described early‑intervention follow‑up challenges, a planned training for early‑intervention providers and the creation of shared resources to support statewide coordination. Tanner said the deaf school has cut after‑school programming to hit current funding levels and estimated the school has $200,000 on hand but needs roughly $300,000 more for a full year of programs, including summer camps and out‑of‑state competition travel. Tanner said staff are seeking donations, grant funding and possible support from the USDB Foundation while also relying on donated discretionary funds to bridge gaps.
Both superintendents emphasized coordination with adult service agencies for transition planning and the importance of targeted enrichment activities to support language, independence and employability skills for students who are blind or deaf.
Next step: superintendents will provide advisory council recommendations and, as requested by the board, more detailed budgets and supporting documentation.
