Board hears proposal to expand in‑district special‑education continuum and add staff

The board received a detailed presentation on proposed special-education program expansions for 2026–27.

Jean, the district’s special-education lead, said the plan prioritizes maintaining students in-district by broadening the continuum of services: proposed additions include roughly 3.4 special-education teacher FTE, two teaching assistants at Hillside Elementary, two additional teacher aides districtwide, expanded consultant-teacher direct supports for high-level classes (geometry, Algebra 2, chemistry), and a reinstated six‑week extended‑school‑year program to be run inside the district.

Jean described program models that will be expanded or introduced: small-class supports in early grades (a proposed K–1 12:1:1 class), increased ICT (integrated co‑teaching) sections and a consultant‑teacher model to provide flexible in-class teacher support for higher‑level coursework. The presentation emphasized related services (speech, OT/PT, counseling) and contract partnerships (BOCES) for specialized evaluations and services.

Trustees asked about how consultant‑teacher supports compare with ICT and why the district chose a consultant-teacher option in some higher-level courses. Jean said consultant‑teacher direct models offer greater scheduling flexibility, can be targeted in blocks and avoid some of the ICT model’s programmatic restrictions.

What’s next: administrators will refine exact staffing allocations, finalize program-of-studies language and the budget book. The board will incorporate these details in the April budget vote packet.