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Jericho details special‑education staffing, small‑class ratios and vocational changes
Summary
PPS staff told the board the district serves 287 classified students (270 in‑district, 17 out‑of‑district), 27 preschool classified students and about 138 students with 504 accommodations; staff highlighted a new behavior consultant and a revamped vocational 'Skillfully Made' program.
Pupil Personnel Services staff presented the district’s special‑education profile and program plans at the budget workshop, emphasizing continuity in most staffing but some targeted additions.
Desiree (PPS) told the board, “So currently, we have 287 classified students,” noting that figure includes students from the neighboring LuHi program who are served in Jericho buildings; staff said 270 of those students are educated in‑district and 17 are placed out‑of‑district. The presentation also listed 27 preschool classified students and approximately 138 students receiving 504 accommodations, which staff described as primarily accommodation‑based supports rather than IEP‑driven services.
PPS staff described instructional models (co‑teaching, small‑class ratios such as 12:1:2 and 15:1 configurations, and related services like OT and speech), explained why classifications often increase at secondary grades (rising academic rigor and executive‑function demands), and flagged a new behavior consultant, Dr. Kamisky, as a recent hire. Staff also described a redesigned vocational program branded "Skillfully Made," which offers hands‑on work in a small lab and an on‑campus cafe as transitional opportunities for students leaving high school.
Board members asked follow‑up questions about code‑level budget lines (BOCES and private tuition fluctuations) and how items would appear in future budget slides; PPS staff committed to supplying grade‑level breakdowns on request.
