ISD outlines early childhood and special education services to board

Presenters from the intermediate school district (ISD) provided an overview of special education and early childhood services available to Boyne City Public Schools students at the Jan. 27 board meeting.

An ISD presenter said the ISD supports career and technical education run within local districts, instructional services such as literacy coaches, and behavioral/mental-health coordination. On early intervention, an ISD speaker stated, "So right now, there's approximate there's about 9 students in Wayne City residents who receive that early intervention home based service," describing home visits by special education teachers and related-service providers for children birth to age 3. The presenters explained that at age 3 families may transition to preschool programs or to stand-alone early childhood special education placements and that, for higher-intensity needs, center-based classrooms (for example, a program located in East Jordan) serve students from multiple nearby districts.

Board members pressed the presenters on logistics and placement decisions; presenters described the team process for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), how principals or special-ed coordinators request ISD review, and transportation arrangements when students attend programs in other towns. Presenters also described parent supports, including the Great Start collaborative, home visits, a required parent advisory council, mentor-family connections and quarterly family coalition meetings intended to increase parent engagement and representation.

The ISD presenters closed by offering to facilitate district-family meetings when communications break down and encouraged board members to help recruit parents for advisory roles.