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Special education director reports staffing gains, declining child count and EdPlan rollout issues
Summary
Kathleen Gerber, the district—xecutive director for special education, told the board that child-count numbers have recently decreased as some students were dismissed from IEPs, staffing is at or near full capacity for psychologists and therapists, and the state's EdPlan SC rollout caused administrative challenges that are improving.
Kathleen Gerber, executive director of special education, described recent special education trends and program changes: after COVID-era increases in the child count the district has seen decreases attributable to reevaluations and students returning to grade level, and staffing this year is stronger with every psychology position filled. "We were fully staffed with speech language pathologist, OTs, PTs," Gerber said, describing narrower caseloads than state recommendations and noting the district's inclusive co‑teaching practices.
Gerber also highlighted program issues: the new state IEP system (EdPlan SC) had early glitches that produced many tickets and extra work for staff, but she said the system is improving after state adjustments. She also reported the district received a two‑point loss on its profile this year tied to statistical disproportionality in identification and said the district will provide documentation to the state as required. Board members asked clarifying questions about current vacancies and position transfers; Gerber said interviews are underway and some hires are imminent.
