Solanco SD presenters propose new high‑school autistic support classroom to keep students in‑district
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Summary
District special-education staff proposed opening an autistic support classroom at the high school to provide an in‑district continuum of services, cap class sizes at eight and educate eligible students through age 22; board members asked about staffing, enrollment and potential out‑of‑district tuition arrangements.
District special-education staff presented a proposal at the Feb. 2 Solanco School District board meeting to open an autistic support classroom at the high school intended to reduce out‑of‑district placements and provide continuity for students through age 22.
“So the purpose of our presentation tonight is to introduce our new autistic support classroom in the high school,” an unnamed presenter told the board, describing a plan to cap class size at eight per state guidance and to provide more intensive, individualized instruction. The presentation said in‑district placement would keep students closer to their neighborhood schools, reduce transportation burdens and may be less expensive than paying tuition to outside providers.
Presenters said the district currently operates autistic support classrooms at the elementary level and life‑skills programs in middle schools, but has a gap at the high‑school level. They described a proposed physical location near an elevator and adjacent to relevant student‑support spaces and said one learning‑support teacher at Swift could be reassigned; a teacher has volunteered to move into the autistic support role. The presenters estimated the district’s special‑education population at roughly 47–48 students for the coming year and said they will monitor numbers to ensure other programs are not left short.
Board members asked whether students would age out of the program; presenters answered that the classroom would educate students up to age 22. The board also asked whether other districts could contract for seats; presenters said the district could accept out‑of‑district students if enrollment and space permit and the home district pays tuition.
Presenters emphasized plans for community‑based job training and partnerships to help students transition to adult services, and said the program could begin next school year if approved and staffing permits.
The presentation concluded with board members thanking the presenters; no formal vote on creating the classroom was recorded at the meeting.
