Warren Co. R-III reports "phenomenal" early-childhood progress, plans building moves to reduce waiting list

Angel Johnson, director of early childhood special education for the district, told the board the program has seen substantial student gains this year and is positioned to reduce its waiting list as facilities change.

"Our students0progress on our IUQ students has been phenomenal this year," Johnson said, reporting that very few students will require extended-school-year services because they have made large gains toward their goals. Johnson said the program0anticipates moving into a new building this fall and then into Daniel Boone the following year, which she expects will allow staff "to shrink our waiting list to nothing and service more kids."

Johnson described the district's Parents as Teachers program as a growing local service. She said the new parent educator, Lisa Rauch, "has 30 visits on the calendar already this month" and is expanding screening services that include DIAL-4 developmental checks plus vision and hearing screening. Johnson also highlighted community partnerships with first responders (for Community Helpers Week), Element Church (which hosts accessible movie nights) and local fall activities such as visits to a pumpkin patch.

Board members asked about the structure of the Parents as Teachers program and whether Johnson supervises it; Johnson confirmed she serves as the parent-as-teacher supervisor and that Rauch is the on-the-ground parent educator conducting home visits and screenings. Johnson emphasized staff contributions: "The biggest strength that I can brag about is my staff."

Next steps: Johnson said staff will continue to prepare for the upcoming facility moves and to monitor waiting lists and service capacity; the board did not take formal action on the presentation but asked follow-up questions about program details and coordination.