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Beaufort County outlines student services expansion, therapeutic day treatment and alternative‑education supports
Summary
Chief of student services Dr. Cox described the department's work, including a new therapeutic day treatment program, MTSS behavior supports, Right Choices alternative‑education placements, and adult education and career‑readiness partnerships; the board asked for more detail on ESY capacity and Right Choices outcomes.
The Beaufort County School District presented an overview of student services on June 9, outlining programs aimed at supporting students with disabilities, behavioral interventions and alternative‑education placements.
Dr. Cox, the district’s chief of student services, said the department works across five main areas and regularly partners with community organizations to support student outcomes. He reported 2,796 students districtwide were identified across IDEA categories and described service delivery models including inclusive practices and a new therapeutic day treatment program.
"Program is up to 8 students, and the high and the secondary program is up to 8 students," Dr. Cox said when asked about capacity for the therapeutic day treatment placements. He clarified that during the extended‑school‑year (ESY) period summer enrollments were smaller and eligibility is determined through the IEP team process.
Dr. Cox also detailed the Right Choices alternative‑education program: at the time of the presentation Right Choices had 38 high‑school and 30 middle‑school students enrolled. He described intake and orientation steps, hearing‑officer decisions and transition plans that bring students back to their home schools when appropriate.
Board members raised several questions. One member asked for the current number of students in the therapeutic day treatment and ESY programs; Dr. Cox responded that at the end of the school year there were five secondary and four elementary students enrolled in the therapeutic program, and three students in ESY summer services at the moment, noting that ESY eligibility is determined by IEP teams and is driven by measurable regression risk.
The presentation also highlighted that the district maintains a school social worker at every site and has expanded dropout‑prevention teams at each high school, with additional outreach and community partnerships for workforce readiness and vocational rehabilitation services.
Board members encouraged follow up on Right Choices and requested that committee updates be put on future agendas so the public can review them. Superintendent Rodriguez said the district is reviewing the adult‑education model to expand access while complying with federal grant requirements for equipment and usage.
The board asked staff to return with more detailed operational metrics for Right Choices, ESY capacity across sites and data on post‑graduation readiness so members can evaluate program performance and equity across different parts of the county.
