District seeks two additional elementary special-education assistants ahead of fall

Jill Mason, executive director of student services, asked the board to add two elementary-level special-education assistants on hourly, year-to-year contracts to meet anticipated needs for the coming school year.

"For health and safety reasons, we're asking for 2 additional special education assistants this year," Mason said, explaining the request is meant to be proactive after caseloads exceeded expectations last year and because students are transferring into the district from autism-specialty programs.

Mason said the positions are requested at the district level rather than assigned to a specific school immediately because internal staffing adjustments and student placements are still being finalized. Hourly staff are hired on one-year contracts and the district reassesses needs annually; Mason said that in practice many positions continue beyond a single year when the caseload justifies it.

She also described interdistrict host-district arrangements (commonly referred to in the packet as 60/61 agreements) and transition programs such as Project Search and Project Bridge. Mason said Holmen often serves as the host district—providing instruction—while resident districts provide transportation and may share certain special-education services. Project Search this year includes interns from La Crosse-area districts and, for the first time, Sparta.

The board asked clarifying questions about contractual terms and whether the positions would be permanent; Mason reiterated these assistants are hired annually and reviewed each year. The additions will appear on the July 27 consent agenda for formal approval.