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Spotlight: Johnson County School District #1 highlights Gillette collaboration that expanded services for a high-needs student
Summary
District principals described a summer partnership with a Gillette program (identified as "Abel") that allowed a nonverbal, high-needs student to attend weekly sessions; the district arranged transportation support and praised community partners for making the placement possible.
District leaders used the meeting's principals report to highlight a special-education collaboration that they said is helping a high-needs student build independence.
A principal and a secondary special-education teacher described a partnership with a program in Gillette (referred to in the meeting as "Abel") that began over the summer. The teacher said the student, nonverbal and older than his classmates, benefited from hands-on supports and that parents granted permission to share photos illustrating the work. District staff credited transportation staff and community members—naming Bill McKenzie and Craig Anderson—for arranging rides so the student could attend weekly sessions.
Presenters said the district coordinated drivers and local scheduling despite known transportation strains. "We did provide that transportation...he goes every Tuesday to Gillette, thanks to Abel coming and picking him up," a school staffer said. Trustees and staff called the collaboration an "awesome situation" and encouraged continuing the partnership and looking for ways to expand similar services within Johnson County.
Board members affirmed the value of place-based partnerships and community volunteers (including BLM and Forest Service staffers who helped at Camp Roberts). The spotlight segment also included praise for uniting prom and homecoming activities and other efforts to emphasize inclusion.
Next steps: district staff indicated they will continue the collaboration work, explore scaling similar transition supports, and follow up on transportation planning as the school year continues.
