York Suburban to bring IU 'fair share' classrooms in-house, add autistic support and K–2 intensive learning program
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Summary
Administrators told the York Suburban School District board they will repurpose staff to bring two intermediate-unit (IU) 'fair share' classrooms back to district campuses, starting a K–12 autistic support continuum and a K–2 intensive learning program at Valley View while adding paraprofessional support as needed.
The York Suburban School District administration told the school board it will bring some special-education classrooms back in-house after the local intermediate unit (IU) ended its fair-share programming.
Administrators said the change will let the district repurpose existing staff rather than hire net new teachers, create a York Suburban High School autistic support classroom and, for the first time, offer a K–12 autistic support continuum. The district also plans a K–2 intensive learning support classroom to be hosted at Valley View Elementary and said some students will still need off-campus placements.
“So the recommendation is that we’re going to add a York Suburban High School autistic support classroom, by repurposing some of our staff in areas where we have some space available,” said the administrator presenting the personnel update.
Dr. Krausser, an administrative leader, told the board the IU had “dissolved the fair share programming” and shifted to a narrower model focused on students with the most intensive needs, leaving districts to provide a broader continuum of services. He said that change accelerated the timeline for bringing programs onto district campuses this year.
Administrators said the primary reasons for the move are student need and cost. Contracted outside placements are expensive, they said, and maintaining locally run classrooms gives the district more program control and potential savings. The administration also said that, in some cases, larger districts that operate multiple classrooms will seek seats from neighboring districts and that York Suburban could broker available seats.
The presentation noted the district will add paraprofessional or higher-skilled behavior-technology positions to support classrooms; the budget currently includes up to the financial equivalent of six full-time paraprofessionals but officials said final staffing depends on student counts by program. Administration said it will continue the mathematics instructional coach position and create a school-connectedness liaison at the intermediate level, repurposing staff where possible.
Board members asked whether special-education teachers require additional certification. Administration replied that a certified special-education teacher may teach across special-education areas but that additional professional development and safety training would be provided for teachers newly assigned to these roles.
The administration did not provide a finalized net cost estimate; it said the district will no longer pay IU fees for students who enroll in district classrooms, but there will be some additional support-staff costs. Board members pressed for follow-up details on staffing numbers and estimated budget impacts before formal April approvals.
The board did not take a vote on the program shift at the meeting; administrators said formal staffing requests (paraprofessionals and wage adjustments) will be brought for board approval in April.
