RSU 73 official: Section 504 caseloads rose to 86 districtwide as district seeks long-term special-ed substitutes

Jenna, RSU 73’s Section 504 coordinator, reported to the board that the district currently has 86 students with Section 504 accommodations. She said the district has 33 active cases at the high school (with four referrals pending), 25 active cases at the middle school (no current referrals), 12 active elementary cases (one referral) and nine active primary-school cases (two anticipated referrals). Jenna said these numbers represent a modest increase since the last report and that staff are holding frequent meetings to stay on timelines for evaluations and IEP/504 reviews.

On staffing, Jenna said the district is continuing its search for a long-term special-education substitute to replace a current long-term sub whose assignment will end May 10. She told the board that candidates must meet state qualification standards and pass background checks; they do not necessarily have to be on the district’s substitute roster to be eligible.

Why it matters: Section 504 caseloads and special-education staffing affect classroom accommodations, evaluation timelines and student access to services. An insufficient pool of qualified long-term substitutes can strain staff and complicate compliance with required meeting schedules.

What the board asked: Board members asked about prerequisites for the long-term sub; Jenna and Superintendent Scott clarified state qualifications and background-check requirements and said being a district-listed substitute is not required for eligibility.

Source: Jenna (Section 504 coordinator) speaking in the RSU 73 School Board meeting transcript.