Subcommittee backs referral for feasibility studies on in‑district day school and Stone expansion

District staff asked the subcommittee to refer feasibility studies and related referrals to the full committee for two items: (1) a feasibility study to create an in‑district therapeutic day school (potentially at the PACE building) for medically fragile and level‑3 autism students; and (2) a phased expansion of the district’s Stone therapeutic program to add two classrooms this year and two the following year.

Staff said out‑of‑district day‑program tuition ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 per student and noted the district currently spends approximately $2.6 million annually on day placements. Officials estimated the district could bring back roughly 28–30 students from out‑of‑district placements if an in‑district program is feasible, and said adding classrooms at Stone could return additional students to district placements and create tuition revenue opportunities by hosting students from neighboring districts.

Members supported referring both studies, asked staff to evaluate staffing recruitment, facility modifications (including sensory spaces and door alarms), transportation implications, and the fiscal impact on tuition and transportation budgets. Staff said the feasibility work would be conducted in‑house, with campus visits to comparable programs (for example, Lawrence) and a subsequent presentation to the full committee.

Next steps: Both items were referred to the full committee. Staff will return with feasibility analyses, cost estimates, staffing plans, and implementation timelines for committee review.