Special education director says district outpaced state graduation rate as board approves IDEA‑B application

The Silver Consolidated Schools Board approved the district'9s 2026–27 IDEA‑B application on April 20 after a presentation by Special Education Director Mr. Coker. He told the board the district'9s 2025 graduation rate for students with disabilities stood at 83.31%, compared with the 2025 New Mexico state rate of about 73.69%, and said the application focuses on improving graduation outcomes and lowering dropout rates for students with disabilities.

Coker said the district'9s current dropout rate for all students was 8.4% and that of the students identified in special education a portion elected to pursue a GED. He said the district continues follow‑up on those who leave to confirm outcomes and to report results to the state. He also told the board the district'9s special education entitlement declined from roughly $900,000 last year to about $700,000 this year, while preschool entitlement sits near $22,000.

The presentation detailed program uses for IDEA‑B funds: extended school year (ESY) services (distinct from summer school), instructional support, child‑finding activities and screenings, work‑study and employment supports, mileage reimbursements for staff who travel between sites, and limited comparable services for parentally placed private‑school students. Coker said the updated special education procedures and handbook (received April 13, 2026) incorporate guidance requested by the Office of Special Education (OSE) and that pages 94–96 now spell out child‑finding responsibilities and contact points.

Coker described timelines required under district practice and state guidance: 15 school days to issue notice after a parent referral; no fixed deadline to obtain parental consent but 60 calendar days from consent to complete evaluations and eligibility determinations (with a copy of the report provided in the final two days of that window). He identified Katie Madrid as the district staffer who schedules pre‑K and K–12 evaluations.

The board approved the IDEA‑B application as an action item; the superintendent and board members said the application is for state submission and that budget allocations will be handled through separate processes. Mr. Coker said the application had been submitted to the state and the district had yet to receive state approval as of the meeting.

What'9s next: The board will see the IDEA‑B application listed as an action item on the regular board meeting agenda; any state notifications of funding changes or carryover will be processed through the finance office.