School committee hears plan for new ECSE pre-K classroom at Abraham Lincoln School

Superintendent Robinson and staff described an expansion of early childhood special education (ECSE) capacity, including a new pre-K classroom at Abraham Lincoln School that the district says could serve up to about 11 students depending on individual needs.

Committee members asked whether 3–5-year-olds receiving services will be consolidated at Abraham Lincoln or continue at their neighborhood schools. Robinson said the district will "meet them where they're at" — some students will remain at neighborhood schools to receive services such as speech, and others may be offered space in the new Abraham Lincoln classroom depending on assessed needs. On current caseloads, a committee member stated the district currently has "around 39 students" receiving some form of services; staff described ongoing observations and staffing work to determine placements.

Robinson said the district is interviewing for a special education teacher and related instructional staff to support the new classroom and that the new space will help fulfill state program requirements for ECSE. Members requested family communications about classroom assignments; Robinson said the district expects to share assignments with families at the end of July.

Next steps: staff will continue interviews to fill classroom staff and share assignment details with families; placements will be determined based on service needs and capacity.