Middle school principal reports enrollment at about 420 and highlights special-education programs

Brad Davidson, principal of Silverton Middle School, told the board he has been at the school eight years and gave an enrollment and program update. He said the middle school's headcount fluctuates around the start of the year and reported "And right now, today, we're at 4 20." He described last-year enrollment peaks and noted projections are often revised upward during the first weeks of school as late arrivals appear.

Davidson emphasized that the school provides multiple specialized programs that increase the measured share of students receiving special education services: basic skills, speech-language pathologist (SLP) supports, two LRC classrooms and a functional skills program (the latter currently housed at the high school with students attending some middle-school classes). He reported the district's special education services figure at 26% and explained that some of that percentage includes 504 plans; his working estimate for students in the programs he enumerated (basic skills, SLP, LRC) was nearer 18% with the remainder comprised of 504s.

He also reviewed operational pressures since last year — staff reductions across several support areas, larger class sizes, and the continuing impacts of the failed bond and broader budget constraints — while praising staff adaptability and community support for after-school help and volunteer efforts.

Board members thanked him for his work, noted the benefits of recent student events and asked follow-up questions about sports and staffing.