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District engages Hamilton County ESC for special‑education audit; surveys open through Oct. 4
Summary
The superintendent announced an external audit of intervention and special‑education practices by the Hamilton County Educational Service Center; staff and family surveys have been sent, families with students receiving intervention services have a targeted survey, and the county plans a summary report and recommendations in November.
The superintendent told the board the district has engaged the Hamilton County Educational Service Center (HCESC) to conduct an independent audit of intervention and special‑education practices. The review will examine eight focus areas including alignment with state and federal requirements; identification and evaluation processes; service delivery models (inclusion, resource rooms, support staff); equity and inclusion; staff qualifications and training; family partnership and complaint resolution; and efficient use of resources.
Why it matters: The audit follows concerns raised in the spring about intervention and special‑education processes. An outside review can produce recommendations the district could use in upcoming goal‑setting and planning.
The superintendent said the HCESC has completed nine similar audits since 2015 and will review district documentation, survey instructional staff and families, and may conduct stakeholder interviews. "The goal of us partnering with the county is to have an objective and honest look at our processes within our school district," the superintendent said.
Survey windows and next steps: Staff and family surveys were distributed and remain open through Oct. 4; families with students receiving intervention services have a targeted survey. The superintendent said the county will produce a summary report with recommendations in November, with the expectation the district would receive the report and discuss findings in December or at a planning meeting.
Board concerns and safeguards: Board members asked about impartiality and how the HCESC operates across Hamilton County and the region; the superintendent said the county has experience with many districts and that the external review was selected to avoid an internal‑only assessment. The presenter also confirmed that the county will return anonymized summaries of survey responses to the district.
What’s next: The district will provide ongoing updates at planning and regular meetings and in principal newsletters; the board encouraged stakeholders to complete surveys during the two‑week window.
