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Special Education advisory committee urges staffing, inclusion and transition investments
Summary
SEAC presented recommendations to the board calling for new positions (BCBA, registered behavioral technicians, social worker), extended instructional‑assistant hours, playground communication boards and expanded transition planning for ages 18–22; board members thanked the committee and were asked to support the requests in the upcoming budget cycle.
Christina Gleason, chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), presented the committee’s annual recommendations to the school board Thursday, focusing on staffing, inclusion and transition supports for students with disabilities.
Gleason outlined a set of requests that she said are rooted in recurring issues the committee hears from families: creation of specialized positions to support unique programs (a board‑certified behavioral analyst, registered behavioral technicians and a social worker) to strengthen autism day and intensive day programs; extending instructional assistant contract hours to better match the seven‑hour school day; and procuring communication boards for playgrounds to support students who use alternate augmentative communication.
Gleason also recommended funding for community‑based instruction, strengthened emergency‑protocol training (including appropriate use of durable medical equipment on buses), measurable targets to increase inclusion opportunities, improved early identification and consistency in IEP eligibility practices across schools, and enhanced transition planning for students aged 18–22. She thanked departing committee members and encouraged board members to "get curious about special education" and to partner with families.
Board members voiced strong support for SEAC’s recommendations. One board member asked the board to "strongly uphold the recommendations from this committee in regards to the funding that they're asking for" during the upcoming budget season. Another board member emphasized the importance of engaging state elected officials and county leaders who control funding streams to help advance these priorities.
Next steps: SEAC asked the board to consider these recommendations during budget development; board members urged advocacy with state and county partners to secure funding.
Key excerpt: "These positions ... will hopefully create positive outcomes for these very unique programs," Gleason said, urging consistent practices and stronger family engagement across schools.
