Pecatonica board sets unlimited general open enrollment, limits special‑education slots for 2025–26

The Pecatonica Area School District board voted unanimously to set open‑enrollment spaces for the 2025–26 school year: the board approved an unlimited number of general‑education open‑enrollment seats and adopted a limited special‑education open‑enrollment framework that sets zero slots in most grade spans and one cross‑categorical slot for grades 9–12.

Doctor Scott explained the district’s approach to special‑education capacity: staff reviewed current IEPs and applied DPI caseload factors, then compared needed services to existing staff. He told the board that based on current enrollments “we are actually, overcapacity in every grade span, except 1,” which informed the recommendation to set special‑education spaces conservatively.

The board used sample motion language provided in the packet (required by DPI for appeals) and voted 7–0 to approve the motions. Board members discussed the possibility that adding special‑education aides might be necessary in future if service levels change.

The actions set the district’s numeric limits for statewide open‑enrollment requests; families seeking open enrollment will have the district’s adopted motions and criteria available in the district policy referenced during the discussion (district policy number 4.23). Any appeals of open‑enrollment denials would be considered under DPI procedures.