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Special education director reports growth and new staff; paraeducator training includes $1,500 incentive
Summary
Tamara Slate, director of special education, told the board the district currently has 193 students eligible for special education services and 12 pending assessments, highlighted new hires (OT Kristen Woods, BCBA contract) and a six‑week online paraeducator training offering $1,500 incentive on completion.
Tamara Slate, director of special education, presented the department's current caseload and staffing updates to trustees, reporting 193 students currently eligible for special education services and 12 students pending initial assessments.
Slate said the district hired an in‑person OT, Kristen Woods, and contracted for a virtual BCBA to support behavior services. She described program counts at different sites (middle school resource room with 25 students; high school full‑time resource teacher serving 25 students; SDC and ESN class counts provided) and noted two open positions (a virtual teacher and an ESN classroom vacancy at Coyote Valley) with temporary substitutes covering assignments.
Slate also described free paraeducator professional development offered by the San Diego County Office of Education: a six‑week online course that yields up to 15 hours of professional development credit and, through a grant, will pay a $1,500 incentive to successful completers. "Everyone that actually successfully completes the 6 week course will get a $1,500 incentive from the grant through San Diego County Office of Education," Slate said.
Trustees praised paraprofessionals and discussed filling remaining positions; Slate said more behind‑the‑scenes hiring and implementation work is ongoing.
