Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District presents special-education plan; staff report 618 students receiving services
Summary
Dr. Heather Chadwell Dennis told the Beacon City School District board the special-education department currently serves about 618 students, reviewed the continuum of services and compliance obligations (IDEA, state rules), and outlined goals for inclusion, literacy and behavioral supports.
Dr. Heather Chadwell Dennis presented the Beacon City School District's special-education plan on July 30, telling trustees the department is "serving about 618 students," ages 3 to 21, who receive individualized education programs reviewed at least annually.
The presentation summarized the district's continuum of services — school-based supports such as speech and occupational therapy, consultant-teacher services, integrated co-teaching, resource rooms and special classes — and noted that more restrictive out-of-district placements are used when necessary (Chadwell Dennis named examples including the Anderson Center for Autism, Center for Discovery and Spectrum Services). She said the district is working to provide services in the least restrictive environment and to comply with federal and state requirements, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related New York rules.
Chadwell Dennis listed staffing levels and recent hires intended to support implementation: "we have 2 [physical therapists] this year" after a multi-year search, seven speech-language pathologists, 8.5 social workers, seven school psychologists and multiple occupational therapists. She said staffing and provider shortages remain a challenge, noting about 20 children in the district are identified as needing services but are not yet receiving them and two children currently lack an appropriate program placement.
The presenter described program-level goals for the year: expanding inclusive instructional practices, implementing evidence-based literacy interventions (including Orton-Gillingham and SPIRE), and strengthening positive behavioral supports through partnerships with All Points and Dutchess BOCES. She also described the district's parent-involvement survey work with SUNY Potsdam, which is part of a state performance plan this year.
Board members asked clarifying questions, including how preschool physical therapy is delivered; Chadwell Dennis said some services require travel to nearby providers and that raising county reimbursement could help attract local providers. The presentation included a handout and a full special-education plan available to the board and public.
The board did not take formal action on the plan during the public meeting; the presentation was a workshop item and was followed by superintendent updates and other board business.
