Board questions enrollment report as administration clarifies STARS special-education classroom

During board reports, Board member Jennifer asked detailed questions about the district enrollment report and whether STARS students had been returned to their home schools. She said a conversation at a recent King School luncheon had left her unsure about how the STARS program operates and which schools host it.

Superintendent (reporting staff) clarified that STARS is a distinct, structured program (now in its third year) and is not simply a cross-categorical placement returned to home schools. "The STARS program is similar to what we used to call our teach program. It's a structured teach model," the superintendent said, explaining the classroom serves students with very specific criteria, including some on the autism spectrum. Administration reported the current STARS class contains eight or nine students and that they generally do not exceed ten.

District staff said they will provide written criteria to elementary principals so building staff understand placement requirements. Jennifer also raised attendance-policy effects she heard about (for example, students missing events after legitimate absences) and asked whether targeted supports such as a shared aide for three teachers at a struggling elementary would help; staff suggested parents contact school-level advocates for case-specific issues and that the district will consider the suggestion when allocating resources.

The board did not take formal action on the STARS program at this meeting but requested that the administration distribute written criteria and continue to monitor class sizes and supports.