Parents and SEAC press Greenwich schools for more special-needs summer services as ESY hours shrink

Members of the Special Education Advisory Council and parents told the Board of Education on Feb. 23 that the district's summer services for students with special needs are too limited and that staffing challenges hinder full implementation of IEPs.

Andy Harrington Cosby, chair of SEAC, urged board members to review specialized programs and visit classrooms to understand how staffing and space affect services across pre-K through high school. He said feedback from families and educators indicates staffing levels do not consistently allow full implementation of some IEPs.

Parent Alex Popp described a reduced Extended School Year (ESY) schedule that in recent years moved from roughly 20 hours per week to about 12 hours per week (four days at three hours). He said the shortened schedule limits supervision and enrichment for students who rely on adult support and recommended returning to a five-day model with more engaging activities and field trips.

Superintendent Dr. Jones and other administrators acknowledged the change to ESY schedules and said the district reduced ESY hours in part to address staffing availability but recognized the trade-offs. Dr. Jones said some parents opt for fewer services and that staffing models are adjusted to secure summer staff. Board members asked administrators to provide additional detail about staffing models, eligibility audits and options to enhance summer programming.

SEAC invited board members to its March 17 meeting and offered to partner with the district on solutions; parents urged the board to prioritize a more robust summer program in upcoming budget discussions.