Special education enrollment rises; district expands programs and lists targeted stipends

Mrs. Mathis presented the district's instructional update on special education, reporting substantial growth: "our special education department has experienced substantial growth over the past 5 years, rising from 5,270 students in 2021 to 8,000 students in 2025." She outlined a continuum of programs (inclusion, resource, self-contained, structured learning classrooms, social–emotional support and compliance programs) and said program additions over the past five years brought the total to 71 self-contained classrooms, with 20 slated to open next school year.