Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Blackford County Schools to give notice to leave Delaware‑Blackford special education cooperative
Summary
Citing governance concerns and rising therapy costs after the co‑op reduced direct services, the board voted to give one‑year notice to withdraw and plans to form a new interlocal with nearby rural districts, aiming to be operational by the 2027–28 school year.
The Blackford County Schools board voted to give formal notice that the district will withdraw from the Delaware‑Blackford special education cooperative and pursue formation of a new interlocal with neighboring rural districts.
Board members said the decision reflects changes in membership and governance in the existing cooperative, including concern that the co‑op director also serves as Muncie Community Schools’ director of special education, which the board said has made the balance of leadership uneven. The district’s representative said the current agreement requires one year’s notice; the district intends to remain in the cooperative through the 2026–27 school year while working with partner districts to stand up the new interlocal by the start of the 2027–28 school year.
Budget considerations were a significant factor: the board reported that when the co‑op ceased providing occupational‑therapy (OT) services two years ago, the district contracted through an agency, which raised annual OT costs “from about $60,000 to closing in on $140,000.” Board members said a locally managed interlocal could allow districts to share licensure and staffing more cost‑effectively and give members greater control over how services are allocated.
Administrators said they will meet with directors from the other districts in July to draft governance documents and to plan a shared staffing model for services such as occupational and physical therapy. The board approved the notice to withdraw by voice vote (3–0).
