RSU 73 special-education audit finds IEP paperwork gaps; corrective action plan due

District special-education staff reported on audit findings and next steps after a state review.

Cherry, speaking during administrative reports, said the district currently counts 355 special-education students (including 23 in referral) and detailed school-level IEP numbers: 71 at the primary school, 83 at the elementary, 95 at the middle school and 106 at the high school. She said 14 students remain placed out of district in special-purpose day-treatment programs and the district is working to return one student.

Cherry said a state Office of Special Education review produced preliminary findings that required eight corrections in five areas, principally around how goals are written, documenting services linked to those goals, and appropriately measuring progress (an example: goals written as outcomes rather than specific teachable skills). She said case managers and teachers submitted corrections this week and that the state will issue a corrective action plan in April; the district will have until February 2025 to implement required changes. Cherry described staff training already delivered and noted a continuing need for special-education staffing in some buildings.

Board members asked about the time required to meet compliance; Cherry estimated that preparing and completing paperwork for one IEP meeting takes about 90 minutes, and she did not expect that timeline to shrink substantially.