Pewaukee board approves special-education contracts, citing staffing shortages; CESA 1 contract totals $69,252.40

The Pewaukee School District board approved agreements to secure special-education services for the 2024–25 school year, citing a statewide shortage of specialized staff and the need for shared services.

Student Services Director Tony Stranky told the board that the district contracts with Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 1 for services including tuition for placed students (through IEP or disciplinary placements), a rotating-seat "new pathways" program, procedural compliance checks for IEPs and 504 plans, and specialized instruction such as orientation and mobility for students who are blind or visually impaired. "The total dollar amount for next school year, including tuition seats, is $69,252.40," Stranky said.

Board members asked about the compliance work; Stranky said CESA 1 provides a checks-and-balances system that includes detailed IEP reviews, goal and date checks, and real-time feedback to staff. He warned that paperwork noncompliance can have financial ramifications: noncompliance found by DPI or during mediation can be expensive for districts.

Separately, the board approved continued participation in the Waukesha County Special Education Consortium (run through Elmbrook) to secure deaf/hard-of-hearing and audiology services and to share the costs and equipment, including assistive devices. Stranky said relying on the consortium avoids initial equipment costs (he cited a comparison of about $15,000 if the district purchased devices outright) and helps districts pool limited staff resources.

Both the CESA 1 contract and the consortium participation were approved after board discussion; Unidentified Speaker 3 recorded an abstention on each vote. No layoffs or service reductions were announced; presentations emphasized staffing shortages and the district’s strategy of contracting or consortium participation to maintain services for students with special needs.