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Special education report: 12% of students receive IEPs; district outlines staffing and support needs
Summary
Special education director Steve Wood told the board about services for pre-K through age 22 students, reporting about 12% of the district's students have IEPs, describing staffing (18 special ed teachers, 40+ paraprofessionals, speech-pathology support) and partnerships to fill gaps, and urging continued funding for training and psychologists.
Special education director Steve Wood presented the district's annual special-education report, outlining the district's eligibility range, staffing structure and recent supports.
Wood said the district currently serves students ages 3 through 22 and that about "12% of our student body" have individualized education programs (IEPs). He described the special-education workforce as 18 special-education teachers supported by more than 40 part-time paraprofessionals, two district-employed speech pathologists and additional contracted speech, occupational and physical therapists and psychologists. Wood said the district partners with USDB for low-incidence services at no cost and with community providers to address language- and testing-related gaps.
Board members asked about seclusion and safety interventions; Wood said the district has had no recorded seclusions so far this year, described required incident documentation and a safety-intervention committee that reviews events, and said staff receive safety-care training. He urged continued investment in staff development, training and school psychologists to keep up with legal changes and student needs.
