Board reviews Compass special‑education expansion: staffing, IEPs and facility prep

Board members discussed the district’s Compass program expansion, a multi‑site special‑education initiative the district plans to open in the fall.

Miss Amann told the board the district posted 12 positions for Compass, interviewed nine candidates and hired seven, completed staff transfers and conducted building walk‑throughs at Chipman West to plan camera placement, scan cards and accessibility upgrades. "We have done a walk through with the BenTech; Mr. Weller did a walk through over at Chipman West to get cameras installed both inside and outside," she said.

Administrators described program design and capacity: Highroads seats purchased equal 18; the 18–22 transition program could initially enroll about 8–10 students, and the North site’s D‑setting may involve about 21–22 students, with final placement driven by individual education program (IEP) meetings this summer. Miss Amann said the program will prioritize district students and keep seats in‑district where possible.

Finance presenter Mr. Kelly explained grant impacts: a staff salary previously covered fully by an IDEA grant will now be funded partly by a generated supervisor unit, reducing local cost. "Her salary was being paid completely out of the grant IDEA previously, but now that we've gotten that 300 unit mark, now we're going to use one of those supervisor units on her," he said.

Board members asked about scheduling, staff oversight and whether programs would draw students from other districts; administrators said start and end times will be staggered to avoid overlap and that the program will initially reserve seats for district students while holding admission and staffing as needs‑driven.

Administrators said they plan a staff retreat June 11, to distribute handbooks and finalize schedules; IEP meetings with families will continue through June to confirm placements.