Board backs planning for in-district multiple-disability support room; Title I funds proposed to help staff it

District leaders told the board they will propose creating a multiple-disability support (MDS) classroom to bring in two incoming elementary students and repatriate one currently served out of district. The classroom, staff said, would require hiring a teacher and at least one paraprofessional; depending on enrollment and needs, additional paraprofessional support could be required.

Mister Leiter described the classroom need and asked for board support to budget for the positions. He said "...it would be justified to have our own teacher and paraprofessional here" to avoid sending students to another district. Board members asked about legal limits for MDS class sizes and program sustainability; a member noted high-quality practice recommends smaller enrollments (hearing numbers around 11'17 as suggestions) and asked staff to confirm the statutory maximum.

Leiter also proposed using Title I grant dollars currently funding paraprofessionals to assign at least one paraprofessional to the MDS classroom and hiring a Title I reading specialist with any remaining Title I funds to continue targeted reading interventions. "This is assuming that federal monies continue as they have," he said, and board members requested analyses of breakeven points, staffing contingencies and availability of substitute coverage.

Board members signaled support for further planning and asked administrators to return with firm numbers on class-size limits, costs and budget adjustments for a vote at a regular meeting.