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Board approves staffing for high-school 'Launch' transition program required by litigation
Summary
The board approved adding 1 FTE for a new high-school transition ("Launch") program for students 19–22, citing Disability Rights Montana litigation that requires districts to provide those services; the position will be funded from the SPED tuition levy.
Special Services Director Shameya Bennett told trustees the district is establishing a transition program (renamed "Launch" for communication purposes) to comply with litigation and to serve students ages 19–22 who are not on a diploma pathway. "We have 8 students that have been confirmed as far as attending for next year," Bennett said, and the district asked the board to add one full-time teacher FTE and two paraprofessionals in the program model.
Board members clarified that the lawsuit created an obligation to provide the program but that the vote before them concerned staffing and funding. The presiding officer summarized: the program is a legal requirement while the board must authorize the staff positions. Trustees voted to approve the staffing request; the addition will be funded from the SPED tuition levy. The board asked staff to return with implementation details as the program begins in August.
