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Assistant superintendent summarizes ADA self-evaluation, recommends policy and finance steps
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Reese presented a district ADA self-evaluation and 10-year transition plan funded initially by a $60,000 Commonwealth grant; the district has applied for a $250,000 implementation grant and will refer policy recommendations to the policy subcommittee.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Reese presented the results of an ADA self-evaluation and a proposed 10‑year transition plan conducted by Direct Access (a division of Matrix Design Group).
Dr. Reese said the district received a $60,000 grant from the Commonwealth to complete the self-assessment and has applied for a $250,000 improvement grant to fund early implementation steps. "We received a grant this year for $60,000 in order to conduct this self assessment and transition plan," Dr. Reese said, and added that the district has applied for an additional $250,000 and expects a fall decision.
The consultant team reviewed 270 policies and recommended updates to 97 (about 36 percent), proposed three new policies, surveyed staff and families, and inspected school buildings during April vacation to identify recurring facility and accessibility needs. Dr. Reese said the plan ranks needs by priority (high/important/moderate/low) and maps costs to low, average and high estimates. He noted recurring concerns around staffing, training, communication and facility modifications that affect safety, independent access, effective communication and equitable participation.
Dr. Reese asked the committee to refer the full ADA policy report to the policy subcommittee and to have school and building leadership develop a draft 10‑year ADA capital improvement plan to be reviewed by the finance committee. "I'd recommend or ask that the committee kind of move that policy report of a full ADA policy report, refer that to the policy subcommittee for consideration," he said.
Next steps the assistant superintendent described include staff and building leaders producing a draft 10‑year capital plan for review by the finance subcommittee and pursuing the implementation grant if awarded. The materials and redline policy recommendations will be posted to the committee folder and the district website for public review.
The committee did not take an immediate vote on spending or on prioritization; Dr. Reese said further budgeting decisions would be brought back to the committee after the policy and finance subcommittees review the consultant recommendations.
