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Palisades Park board approves application to open in‑district autism special‑class program
Summary
Board approved submission of an application to the New Jersey Department of Education to establish a special class program for students with autism, with administrators saying the program could allow some out‑of‑district students to return and reduce tuition and transportation costs.
The Palisades Park Board of Education voted June 24 to authorize the administration to submit an application to the New Jersey Department of Education to establish an in‑district special class program for students with autism.
Administration said the program is intended to bring students currently placed out of district back into their home community when appropriate, and that the district has identified space and plans to staff the program with certified personnel, including a board‑certified behavior analyst. Officials noted the approval on June 24 is only the first step — additional actions (staff reassignments, new hires, and budget allocations) would follow if the state approves the program.
Board members asked questions about funding, staffing, and timelines. Administration said the district began planning during the budget process and can reallocate funds as needed; it estimated that out‑of‑district placements can cost roughly $80,000–$90,000 per student (tuition plus transportation and aides) and that bringing students back would reduce those costs. The district’s goal is to have the program operational for the 2026–27 school year with an expected September start if the state approves the application.
The motion to submit the application passed in regular session. Board members stressed that individual student placement decisions will continue to be made through IEP teams and that not every student on the autism spectrum will necessarily be appropriate for the program.
