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RSU 24 to begin transitioning four-year-old special-education services into district schools this fall
Summary
Under a state rollout, RSU 24 will start bringing four-year-old special-education services into public schools this fall (cohort 3), with the district planning to re-open a Peninsula preschool classroom pending budget approval and noting state support for many implementation costs.
District staff told the RSU 24 board the state is shifting responsibility for many early-childhood special-education services into public school systems and that RSU 24 will begin implementing that change this fall for four-year-olds as part of a multi-year rollout.
Presenters said the state has organized districts into cohorts; RSU 24 is in cohort 3 and will start by absorbing four-year-old services this school year and plan for three-year-olds the following year. Staff reported the state is expected to fund 100% of services provided directly to students, will supply classroom furniture and some equipment, and is offering supports such as reimbursing conditional and professional certification costs for staff who need additional training.
To prepare, the district will restart a preschool classroom at Peninsula (pending budget approval) so every school can host a program, and will implement a child-finding process and year-round evaluation meetings to identify and serve eligible children. The presenter noted the district currently shows a small number of three- and four-year-old children in the early-childhood database (three four-year-olds and three three-year-olds), and cautioned that enrollment may rise if the program is expanded.
Administrators said they have completed required transition assessments, inventoried equipment and supplies, are coordinating schedules and staff responsibilities with elementary principals, and are watching state guidance on special-education certification tracks for early childhood providers. The board asked for continued updates on staffing needs and evaluation tools required to serve younger children.
Board members asked about Head Start interactions and were told Head Start programs still exist in the region and some districts host Head Start within schools but that RSU 24 will not incorporate Head Start this year.
The board scheduled follow-up work with staff and the special-education leadership team as the district develops its operational and budgeting plans for the shift.
