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Board flags rising behavioral needs for young learners; considers more BCBA hours
Summary
Administrators said early‑grade behavioral needs are increasing and the district is exploring more BCBA (behavioral) support, possible contracted staff increases and program adjustments; trustees raised staffing and space implications for ERI/emotional‑regulation rooms.
Superintendent Dr. Ryder told trustees that behavioral needs among the district’s youngest learners — kindergarten through grade 2 and even preschool — are rising and that the district is evaluating whether to expand BCBA support hours or contract additional specialists.
"These are our most current numbers, and there's probably a need for this," Dr. Ryder said, describing part‑time behavioral support that the district currently funds. Board members pushed for solutions that preserve classroom instruction while expanding supervision during high‑need times (lunch, recess and gym) and highlighted the constrained staffing ratios necessary in emotional‑regulation and multiple‑disabilities rooms.
Administrators noted the need for an intensive staff‑to‑student ratio in ERI spaces and cautioned that those rooms cannot simply be filled without additional staff. The business office and superintendent agreed to explore options, including reallocating PEA or special‑education resources where permissible and presenting costed alternatives for committee review.
