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Watertown School District reports 653 students receiving special education as needs rise for autism and speech supports
Summary
Dr. Ballinger told the board the district served 653 students on Dec. 1 child count; special‑education enrollment is steady or growing while overall enrollment falls, with notable increases in autism, multiple disabilities and speech needs, and staffing and funding pressures discussed.
Dr. Ballinger, the district’s special services presenter, told the Watertown School District board that the district is serving 653 students under Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) as of the December 1 child count, a figure that includes students the district serves from private schools.
The presentation focused on why special‑education caseloads are rising even as the district’s overall enrollment declines. Dr. Ballinger cited state and national trends and said the district’s data show increases in students qualifying under autism, multiple disabilities and speech‑language categories. She said screening and referral processes such as RTI (response to intervention) and outside agency diagnoses are identifying more students earlier, and that the district’s five‑year snapshot shows special‑education counts holding steady or increasing while…
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