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Pelham outlines special‑education pressures; plans new kindergarten integrated co‑teach
Summary
Pupil Personnel Services told the board special‑education caseloads have risen and the budget proposes a new kindergarten integrated co‑teach class at Prospect Hill plus contingent positions to cover IEP‑driven needs.
Tracy, director of Pupil Personnel Services, told the board that special‑education demand has grown and is a major driver of next year’s budget. "In the last 5 years, just in CSC, we've seen a 32% increase in students that are classified," she said, and added that 504 plans have increased "94%" over the same period.
Tracy said the department plans to open a new integrated co‑teach (ICT) kindergarten section at Prospect Hill next year and to add one ICT teacher for that program. She described programmatic shifts to allocate teaching assistants and related services more systemically and noted the reliance on contractual related‑service providers where hiring full‑time staff has not been feasible.
Administrators emphasized that special‑education line items are demand‑driven and subject to change with enrollment and IEP outcomes. Tracy pointed to contingency planning in tuition and monitor lines, noting two contingent positions budgeted to address students who may move into the district during the year.
Board members asked for continued updates as spring evaluation and program‑placement work proceeds.
