In an effort to better reach students and increase accountability, Fort Bend ISD is reorganizing its special education department starting with staff. The board of trustees approved 36 new positions for the department April 25 to replace 35 positions eliminated by the board April 11.

The new positions include program managers and specialists for initiatives such as life-skill services, autism support, behavior support, elementary resources and inclusive services. Eleven transition teachers were also approved as part of the reorganization, and for accountability purposes, two of the new positions are program managers for program improvement and evaluation.

Newly approved job descriptions replaced the special education department’s coordinator, facilitator and teacher descriptions. District staff recommended changes to job descriptions in a May 2015 report after a yearlong review using input from community members, parents, teachers and advisory groups.

“We worked through that plan all this year,” said Deena Hill, FBISD executive director of special education. “One of the goals, the main goals … was all about accountability and looking at personnel.”

The new positions are covered by the district’s general fund dollars, according to meeting documents. The district’s existing assistant directors—for behavioral services and programs, and for assessment and compliance—will now each be tasked with overseeing special education at either the elementary or secondary school levels.

“Right now we don’t really have that setup,” Hill said. “In a bigger district, after consulting with my colleagues and looking at some of the other bigger districts, that elementary and secondary setup seems to be a much better way to split the district up.”

“I don’t believe we’re where we need to be right now,” Hill said. “All that evaluation, all that collaboration I think will help.”