The board approved the staffing request at a cost of $1.97 million to the district’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget, according to agenda documents.
Why it matters
In addition to 19 special education paraprofessionals, the district will be adding two teachers for the Life Bridges program and one deaf support specialist, Communications Specialist Salwa Lanford said in an email to Community Impact.
The district’s Life Bridges program helps to educate young adults with disabilities to increase independence in family and community settings, according to the district website.
What they’re saying
The staffing additions are to accommodate the growing number of students with disabilities and ensure enhanced support and inclusive educational opportunities for all learners, Lanford said in the email.
Michele Martella, the district’s executive director of special programs and services, told the board that the state has seen an increase in children identified with disabilities, partially due to changes in categorization for disabilities such as dyslexia.
Board member Jason York said the special education staffing additions mirror growing enrollment in the student population.
“For me, looking at this, I know the number [of additions] is relatively high, but I think this is finally going to get us close to where we need to be,” York said.
