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Board approves repurposing middle‑school position into in‑school support specialist
Summary
Timberlane board approved converting a family & consumer sciences position into an in‑school support specialist to provide structured in‑school suspension, academic continuity and interventions, citing successful high‑school pilot results.
The Timberlane Regional School District approved repurposing an existing middle‑school family & consumer sciences position into an in‑school support specialist (ISS) role aimed at keeping students in school while they serve disciplinary consequences and receive academic and behavioral support.
Administrators cited high‑school pilot data showing the district converted significant out‑of‑school suspension days into supervised in‑school support: 94 student days in 2023–24, 139 in 2024–25 and 132 so far in 2025–26. The ISS role has been used to supervise in‑school suspension days, provide focused academic support and coordinate with assistant principals and counselors to create re‑entry plans.
Board members asked about oversight, repeat‑offense rates, parent communication and workload for the ISS staff; administrators said the specialist coordinates with APs and reports to the school leadership team. The motion to repurpose the position passed unanimously.
Supporters argued the approach preserves instructional time for students who otherwise would be sent home and reduces long‑term academic disruption; critics cautioned that additional resources and reporting will be needed to monitor effectiveness.
