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Board seeks timeline on overdue IEPs as district clarifies psychologists’ role
Summary
During metrics review board members pressed for a timeline to complete overdue individualized education program (IEP) evaluations. Superintendent said the district employs about 107 psychologists (two above an allocation of 105) who primarily perform evaluations, while ESC social workers provide therapy and the district employs 115 full‑time ESSE social workers.
Board members pressed district leadership for a written timeline on catch‑up work for overdue IEPs and for clarity about whether psychologists will provide therapy after evaluations.
At the February meeting, the superintendent said the district has moved to an allocation model calling for about 105 psychologists but currently has 107 ("two over that number"), and that psychologists “primarily focus on the evaluation process.” He said ESC social workers provide counseling and therapy services required by a student’s IEP and that the district employs 115 full‑time ESSE social workers.
Board member Dr. Ida Short asked when the evaluation backlog would be resolved and requested that the board receive a written timeline; the superintendent agreed to provide a breakdown and timeline after consulting staff. Board members and public commenters also urged increases in therapy capacity beyond evaluation work and noted staffing shortages in several ancillary roles.
District officials provided midyear metrics showing improvement in some areas but continued staffing vacancies: 28 teacher vacancies, 32 support‑staff vacancies, five assistant principal vacancies and multiple openings among occupational and physical therapists. The superintendent acknowledged the need for continued hiring and monitoring of IEP re‑evaluations, initial evaluations and speech and therapy services and said the district would follow up in writing on timelines and capacity.
The board’s discussion separated evaluation work (psychologists) from the delivery of therapy and counseling (ESC social workers), and officials said they would return more detailed data on how the district will both finish evaluations and expand therapeutic services where IEPs require them.
