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District reports rising special-education enrollment, flags cost pressures
Summary
District student-services staff told the board special-education enrollment has increased while total enrollment has fallen, citing increased reliance on contracted placements and a PCCD grant that covers much of those costs.
District student-services staff reported a notable increase in the district's special-education population, even though overall student enrollment has decreased. The presenter said the district is using contracted placements and services and cited a current out-of-district slot at River Rock estimated at $60,000 and an applied PCCD grant covering approximately $145,200 of related costs.
The presenter said some regional IU (intermediate-unit) services are changing and that closures of IU-run classrooms could force the district to seek more private placements, which would raise costs. Staff described a mix of in-district and contracted related services: virtual contracted speech therapists, IU-provided physical- and vision-therapy services, contracted school-based therapy and social-work services, and a newly hired BCBA.
Board members asked whether the district is over- or under-identifying students for special-education services. The presenter said the district has likely been under-identifying some students in the past and emphasized strengthening the MTSS framework and early interventions as complements to IEP services.
Next steps: Staff will continue monitoring placements and costs and will incorporate these pressures into the budget preview presented to the board.
