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Staff reports special-education caseloads rising, higher needs in Milton-Freewater SD 7
Summary
District staff reported a December 1 special-education count of 214 students, said 11 more students have been made eligible since that count, and warned that higher support needs and case-management loads — especially at Central — are straining services.
District staff delivered the annual special-education report at the board meeting, telling trustees that the district's December 1 count this year was 214 students and that 11 additional students have been made eligible since that snapshot. The report said four students are currently in the referral process and noted that while total headcount has fallen slightly year over year, the needs of current students are higher.
"This year was 2 14," the staff presenter said when summarizing the December 1 count. Staff also flagged two compliance items: an audit finding for potential over-identification of students with other health impairment and an issue around excessive use of the extended state assessment. Staff said they conducted a root-cause analysis and are revising eligibility worksheets and procedures to address the concerns.
Board members pressed for context on caseloads and what reasonable case-manager ratios look like in comparable districts. Staff said the district is balancing speech-only caseloads and life-skills placements, noting Central's new 4–8 life-skills classroom means Central's caseloads will be larger by design. The presenter also said the district has shifted some speech-and-language services to a hybrid model using virtual SLPs alongside in-person providers, which has created scheduling and coordination challenges as those providers serve multiple districts.
The report included additional details on transitions: 12 seniors are exiting special education this year and the district expects about 10 early-childhood special-education students to enter kindergarten next year. Staff said they will pursue professional-development and staffing strategies and will present possible caseload formulas and supports to the board for follow-up.
