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Student services update: transition program lease targets August 1; hiring and IEP prevalence discussed
Summary
Director of Student Services Sarah briefed the board: district IEP prevalence sits at about 20.9% (down from a 22.7% peak), the transition program lease includes an August 1 worklist completion target and a zoning cap of 10 outside students, and hiring for paraprofessional and special education vacancies is underway.
Sarah, the district's director of student services, updated the board on enrollment, special education placement, hiring and the transition program lease.
On special education, Sarah reported the district's IEP prevalence is currently about 20.9 percent, down from a peak around 22.7 percent. She said the district has been working on MTSS expansion and more precise eligibility screening, and that placement and specialized programs remain stable overall.
On staffing, Sarah described current vacancies and hiring activity: the district has opened paraprofessional roles, is conducting interviews for special education teacher roles (including a life‑skills/harbor program teacher and a RISE program position), and has assembled interview committees that include parents and students for key hires.
On the transition program, Sarah explained that the district is in the final steps of leasing a Main Street property to host a transition program. The lease includes a work list with an August 1 target for completion of renovations; one specialized item (a fire suppression hood for a stove) may delay full kitchen cooking for a few weeks but the program could begin with modified kitchen activities. Zoning approval includes a perimeter cap that limits the property to 10 students from outside the district; staff said they do not expect to exceed that cap in year one and will revisit permit changes if demand grows.
Sarah said she has not widely recruited students from outside the district because the lease is not yet signed; she has prepared draft recruitment materials to distribute when the lease is finalized. She also said existing district paraeducators are covering some interim service delivery and that certified staff and a school psychologist are anchoring key programs while the district continues hiring.
Board members asked practical questions about timelines, equipment and whether the district would seek any zoning modifications if outside demand grows; Sarah and staff detailed next steps and said they will pursue grant applications and complete lease steps in early June to meet grant deadlines.
What happens next: staff will continue the lease and grant application work, proceed with summer ordering and furniture setup if lease timelines hold, and move forward with interviews to fill long‑term substitute and special education positions.
