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Committee hears request to add two special-education teachers as caseload rises to 17%
Summary
Special-education staff reported caseload growth from 9% to 17% and requested two additional teachers (one elementary, one middle school) for 2026–27; committee asked staff for a needs-based recommendation and noted a middle-school STEM 50% position may be vacated next year.
Angela (Angie) Klein reported to the Finance/Personnel Committee on Jan. 26 that special-education staffing is "spread as far as possible" and that the percentage of students receiving special education services in the district has risen "from 9% to 17% since she has been in the district." She asked the committee to consider adding two teachers for 2026–2027: one to serve elementary students and one to serve middle-school students.
Committee members asked whether two positions would be sufficient for projected need and requested that Klein return with a recommendation based on student needs and levels of support required for reading and math interventions. Matt Austin flagged a separate but related staffing concern: a current part-time middle-school STEM elective teacher (a 50% position who supports Project Lead The Way–style electives) is considering re-retiring after the 2026–2027 school year, creating potential replacement and program-continuity issues.
Members discussed the possibility of creating a combined-role hire—a position that could cover math intervention duties and serve as a high-school 504 coordinator—to increase flexibility if part-time or specialized staff depart. The committee did not make a hiring decision and asked for further information; no recommendation will be forwarded to the full board at this time.
