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Rising special-education caseloads prompt hires and a small-bus purchase in Sultan School District
Summary
District leaders reported higher special-education enrollment (about 375 students), case loads above contract limits at the high school, and approved a ~$134,000 small-bus purchase to ease transportation pressures; staff also proposed hiring a dean of students and other positions to address high-need students.
District administrators told the board that a rise in special-education enrollment and high individual case loads have created operational strain and require additional staffing and transportation resources.
Dr. Paul Douas and the special-education director reported roughly 375 students receiving special-education services as of the previous week and described cases that require multiple adult staff and medically fragile supports. The special-education director said the district's collective-bargaining agreement sets case-load guidance at 26 students; current high-school special-education teachers have reported caseloads in the low-to-mid 40s.
To address immediate operational needs, the board approved a small-bus purchase (approx. $134,000 plus tax) to expand capacity for special-needs routes. Staff explained the purchase will be paid initially from the general fund and later moved to the transportation-vehicle fund via a transfer resolution; the board approved the purchase by voice vote.
Superintendent Dan asked the board for permission to post several positions to respond to enrollment and need, including increasing library clerk hours at elementary schools, adding staff for math/STEM at the middle school and hiring a Dean of Students at Gold Bar Elementary. The board agreed to let administration post positions while staff will provide updated cost estimates and fund-balance projections for January.
District officials stressed the combination of enrollment growth and increasing student needs (behavioral and medical) as the drivers of these requests and said they will return with concrete budget figures and timelines for hires.
