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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-10 School Committee Minutes1 O N FRf�i
K Town of Reading
b Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Committee
Date: 2018-01-10
Building: School - Memorial High
Address: 82 Oakland Road
Purpose: Open Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
1018 JAN 2 5 P12: III
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Superintendent Conference Room
Session: Open Session
Version: Final
Chuck Robinson, Sherri Vanden Akker, Nick Boivin (arrived at 7:31 p.m.),
Linda Snow Dockser, and Elaine Webb
Members - Not Present:
Jeanne Borawski, Student Representatives Cutone & Coumounduros
Others Present:
Superintendent John Doherty, Director of Finance Gail Dowd, Assistant
Superintendent Craig Martin, Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson,
RPS Administrators Sarah Leveque, Joanne King, Ricki Shankland, Brienne
Karow, Lisa Marie Ippolito, Heather Leonard, Kelley Bostwick, RPS Team
Chairs, RISE secretary Denise Santoro, RPS Budget Liaisons, Selectmen
Barry Berman, John Arena & Andy Friedmann, Members of Fincom, Al Sylvia
- Reading Chronicle, Bob Holmes - Patch
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Chair
Topics of Discussion:
I. Call to Order
Chair Robinson called the School Committee to order at 7:05 p.m. and reviewed the
agenda.
Chair Robinson asked the public to attend meetings or office hours or contact school
committee members with any questions they may have and pointed out that the
School Committee is scheduled to vote on the budget on January 22°d.
Mr. Arena called the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:05 p.m.
II. Recommended Procedure
A. Public Comment
There was none.
B. Consent Agenda
Page 1 1
Mrs. Webb asked if the committee wanted anything to be removed from the
consent agenda. There was none.
Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes (December 11 & 18, 2017)
Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Dr. Vanden Akker, to approve the consent
agenda. The motion carried 4-0.
C. New Business
FYI Budget — Regular Day Cost Center
Dr. Doherty reviewed the budget documents. Ms. Dowd added that the budget
book breaks the budget down into cost centers with detail in each. The book has
been reorganized putting all the financial information in the front and supporting
documents after the financial.
The Munis budget is a general ledger of the district with every line item for the
FY14 —FYI 7 and showing the FYI budget as adopted by Town Meeting. She
went onto explain that stipends have been built into some salary line items
because staff is unknow at this time.
Mr. Robinson added that per a request several years ago, the Munis budget has
been included. He wanted the community to know that the School Committee
takes this job very seriously.
Dr. Doherty began the Regular Day Cost Center presentation. He reviewed the
calendar changes which include a second public hearing on January 22nd. He
reviewed what is included in this cost center. The major changes in this cost
center include personnel reductions (4.0 FTE Elementary CR teachers, 7.0 FTE
Middle School Classroom teachers, 2.0 FTE Regular Education Tutors), the
addition of a kindergarten teacher and paraeducator to address the increase in
enrollment and the restoration of the 1.0 FTE School Business position which will
require no additional funding due to the restructuring of positions. As with all
cost centers, salary obligations make up a major portion of this cost center. The
Superintendent also reminded the community that the School Committee will be
negotiating with all five unions. There is also a restoration of funding to FY17
levels for districtwide technology, per pupil building expenditures and substitute
teachers. The addition of a second regular day bus and an increase in homeless
transportation is also included. This budget does not include funding for the third
and final year of science curriculum funding.
The reduction of 4.0 FTE Elementary teachers will result in some class sizes in
grades 3-5 to reach up to 27 students per classroom and may result in some half
day kindergarten classrooms being combined with other elementary schools.
Coolidge principal Sarah Marchant and Parker principal Ricki Shankland
reviewed the middle school staff cuts and the effect they will have on teaching
and learning at the middle school level.
Page 1 2
The reduction of 7.0 FTE Middle School teachers will result in the elimination of
one of the double periods of English Language Arts in Grade 6, the elimination of
foreign language in Grades 7 and 8, and the restructuring of the middle school
schedule to a 6 -period day. Our middle school model has worked extremely well
to serve the needs of our students for over 20 years. To change this model in any
way will compromise the integrity of our middle school model and the
programming, even beyond the obvious cuts.
Mrs. Shankland explained that we have been able to offer a robust curriculum at
the middle school level and shared some of the less obvious impacts of these cuts.
New schedules will have to be created with less personnel, there will be less
support for special education students, students will have to make choices on
activities and there will be less opportunities for social emotional support. The
Advisory program numbers will also go up. The overall impact goes beyond the
personnel cuts.
Mrs. Marchant added that there will be no common planning time but the
interdisciplinary teams will remain.
Mr. Boivin arrived at 7:31 p.m.
Mrs. Shankland encouraged the parents to stay informed, ask questions and
advocate for the kids.
Birch Meadow principal Julia Hendrix spoke about the building based budgets
which will be restored to FY2017 levels in this budget. These funds are allotted
to each school based on the October 1 st enrollment and are used for the day to day
activities and operation of the school.
Dr. Doherty reviewed the line items in this cost center.
The Committee asked clarifying questions on professional development, stipends,
substitutes, kindergarten, and building based budgets. Community members
asked about the Know Atom curriculum, the increase in the technology line,
drama, and middle school math.
Special Education Cost Center
Director of Student Services Carolyn Wilson presented an overview of her
department and what drives the work. Aspects of this include supporting the
needs of all students with disabilities as outlined in their IEPs, collaboration with
parents, State and Federal Regulations and recent legal decisions. She next
reviewed the in -district programs, terminology, the IEP process and enrollment
trends. Mrs. Wilson provided information on the out -of -district placement
process and where our students are placed.
The major changes in this cost center include salaries, an increase in out -of -
district placements, a $200,000 decrease in our circuit breaker reimbursement,
decreases in Federal grant funding, a decrease in the special education revolving
account due to less students being tuitioned in to our programs, personnel
additions (1.0 FTE RISE teacher and 3.0 FTE special education paraeducators due
to the addition of a sub -separate classroom in January 2018), and the addition of
Page 1 3
3.0 FTE special education paraeducators for identified needs in our programs.
Due to personnel reconstruction there will be the addition of a 1.0 FTE BCBA
and in increase in special education professional development.
Mrs. Wilson reviewed the Special Education budget by category and line item.
Mr. Robinson asked about the decrease in tuitioned in students. He asked if we
had the capacity to bring more students into our programs. Mrs. Wilson
explained that we need to service our students first and there are space concerns.
D. Reports
Student Representative
There were no student reports.
Liaison's Report
There were none.
E. Old Business
III. Routine Matters
a. Bills and Payroll (A)
S1825
12.21.17
$132,671.57
S1826
12.28.17
$77,801.81
51827
1.04.18
$56,379.02
b. Calendar
IV. Information/Correspondence
V. Future Business
VI. Adjournment
Adjourn
Mrs. Webb moved, seconded by Mr. Boi%in, to adjourn. The motion carried
6-0.
Mr. Arena moved, seconded by Mr. Berman, to adjourn. The motion carried
3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 10.24 p.m.
Page 1 4
NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not
the order they occurred during the meeting.
Joh
F'
Doherty, Ld.D.
Page 1 5
Wednesday, January 10, 203.8
FYig School Committee Budget Presentations
Updated Budget Calendar
• Monday, January 8th
• Overview of FYs9 Budget, Administration, Districtwide Services, School Facilities, Capital
• Wednesday, January ioth
• Regular Day, Special Education
• Thursday, January 11th
• Public Hearing, Presentation of Restructured Budget
• Thursday, January 18th
• School Committee Discussion
° Monday, January 22nd
• Public Hearing, School Committee Vote (time permitting)
Tuesday, January 23'd
School Committee Vote —tentative if vote is not taken January 22,d
w
1/10/2018
1
Regular Day Cost Center
FYig School Committee Budget Presentations
egular Day Cost Center
58.1916 of Tota( Budget
Building Administrators and Secretaries
Regular Education Teachers , Tutors, and Paraprofessionals
School Psychologists and Guidance Counselors
ELL and Instructional Specialists
Teacher Mentor and Leadership Stipends
Curriculum Materials
Professional Development
Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals
Mandatory Student Transportation ( > z miles for K-6)
Instructional Materials and Supplies
Instructional Technology and Equipment
Library Materials and Technology 73
Testing and Assessment Software and Materials
1/10/2018
N
1/10/2018
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Major Changes
FY'ig Superintendent Recommended Budget: $24,822,291
• FY'18 Adopted Budget: $24,957,436
• $ Decrease: $135,145 (•5%)
• Personnel Reductions
• 4.o FTE Elementary Classroom teachers ($256,251)
• To FTE Middle School Classroom teachers ($485,880)
• 2.o FTE Regular Education Tutors ($40,105)
• Personnel Additions
• 1.o FTE Kindergarten Teacher ($60,000) to address an increase in kindergarten enrollment.
• 2.o FTE Kindergarten Paraeducators ($38,000) to address an increase in kindergarten enrollment.
• Restructured Positions — no additional funding required
Literacy coach ($88,000) to the data coach ($66,636).
1.o FTE High School Secretary ($35,000) and salary difference from the data coach restructuring ($721,364)
above to the Administration Cost Center) for the restoration of the 1.o FTE School Business Assistant.
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Major Changes
• Salary and benefit obligations to employees per collective bargaining agreements
and non-union COLA adjustments. The School Committee will be negotiating with
all five collective bargaining units.
' Restoration of funding to FY17 levels
• Districtwide technology funds ($50,000)
• Per pupil building expenditures ($ioo,000)
• Substitute teachers ($98,000)
® Addition of a second bus for regular day transportation that was not budgeted for
in FY3.8 along with a contractual increase in bus transportation. In addition, an
increase in homeless student transportation.
The FYig Recommended budget does not include funding for the third and final
year of science curriculum implementation. We will address this cost in the
override budget recommendations.
3
1/10/2018
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Impact of Personnel Reductions
Elementary Classroom Teachers
!ase in class size in some grade 3-5 classrooms to up to 27 students per class
Middle School Classroom Teachers
pullout opportunity for students with disabilities or students requiring additional assistance
hers will have less opportunity to meet and discuss student needs, plan interdisciplinary curriculum
ructuring of Middle School Interdisciplinary Team Structure
Move from a 7 period day to a 6 period day
Specialists FTE and schedules will be restructured to accommodate schedule change
fiction of English Language Arts Block in Grade 6 from z periods/day to s period/day
ination of Grade 7 and 8 Foreign Language
iematics will become part of interdisciplinary team
iges will maintain the middle school interdisciplinary model
ms will potentially impact the district's ability to retain and attract outstanding educators
76
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Impact of Personnel Reductions
FE Tutors
D FTE Tutor at Middle School - less Math Intervention support during school day
o FTE Tutor at Elementary - less tutor hours during the school day at each elementary
hool to support students who need additional academic assistance.
nation of Virtual High School
Mine coursework through Virtual High School will no longer be available for students
ucturing of i.o FTE High School AP Secretary
:tendance and Other Duties will be restructured among AP Secretary, Guidance
�cretary, Athletics Secretary
4
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Other Impacts
*E Kindergarten Teacher and z.o FTE Kindergarten Paraeducators
iintains 18-22 students per kindergarten class
If Day Programs will be centralized to a North and South Campus
-twide Technology and Building Budgets Restoration to FY17 Levels
ows replacement of computer and SMART Boards
ows buildings to purchase needed curriculum materials and supplies for classrooms
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
FY19 Budget by Object
1/10/2018
78
20,588,251
21,268,556
21,451,725
22,329,333
21,931,068
-1.8%
449,385
471,223
474,124
467,098
443,329
-5.1%
1,028,947
967,992
999,869
991,642
1,111,001
12.0%
78,754
93,912
97,909
77,200
151,000
95.6%
597,407
577,761
536,989
598,062
672,212
12.4%
442,643
414,473
340,255
494,102
513,681
4.0°x6
23,185,387
23,793,917
23,900,871
24,957,436
24,822,291
-0.5%
ED
5
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Building Based Budgets
Each school is allocated an amount of funds to operate the day to day
activities of the school
Funding is based on an October 1st enrollment multiplied by a per pupil
amount
FYi9 amount was level funded from FYi7, but reallocated to reflect changes
in expenses at different levels
1/10/2018
0
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Building Based Budgets Fund the Following
-ig supplies for office and classrooms
nd materials and consumables
oom furniture
oom equipment/technology
d physical education materials and supplies
rleases
)erships/dues
ctional software and ongoing software license and maintenance fees
g supplies
rences/workshops/professional development
ation expenses (High School)
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Building Based Budgets
8:
1/10/2018
4,250 x682,956 6582,956-sloo,000 4,335 x682,914
N
30/3/2oi6
Per
FY18
FYi8
s Amount
10/1/2017
Per
FYig
Enrollment
Pupil
Value *
Per
Pupil
Revised
of
Change
Enrollment
Pupil
Value
Total Per
Pupil
385
$161
661,985
$52,909
-$9076
377
$171
864,467
383
s16i
63,663
$52,634
-$9,029
370
$171
63,270
428
s161
68,9o8
658,818
-$30,090
388
$171
66,348
427
s163
68,747
s58,683
-s3o,o66
423
$373
73,993
339
$161
53,359
$43,839
47,520
ego
$173
49590
466
$357
73,362
662,449
-$30,733
476
$357
74,732
572
$357
89,804
$76,655
-633,349
563
5157
88,393
1,270
s163
207,128
s176.cj7o
-s3o,2S7
3.250
s163
204,125
4,250 x682,956 6582,956-sloo,000 4,335 x682,914
N
Regular Day Cost Center
Budget by Detail
Page 32and 33
FYi9 School Committee Budget Presentations
Regular Day Cost Center (continued)
Total Regular Day Teacher Reductions By Level
Fiscal Year
2017
RISEJEIementary FTEElmiddle
0
School FTE
0
High School FTE
3.4
2019 (Proposed)
Total
4.0 7.0 0
6.6 7.0 7.0
85
1/10/2018
8
Questions
FY19 School Committee Budget Presentations
Special Education Cost Center
FY3.9 School Committee Budget Presentations
1/10/2018
0
Special Education Cost Center
Goals of presentation
Provide a brief overview of special education and the student services office.
Provide some data on the students being served by the Reading Public
Schools
• Review of key items included in the special education cost center
• Overview
• Highlights of key budget lines
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Student Services Mission Statement
The goal of the Student Services department is to provide high quality
programs and services within the district and to identify and place children in
out -of -district programs only when the programs or services that are offered
within the district are not adequate or appropriate to address a child's
particular needs. As mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we strive to
provide programs and services to allow our students with disabilities to be
educated in the least restrictive environment that enables them to make
effective progress.
LE
1/10/2018
WE
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
What drives our work?
• Supporting the needs of all Students with disabilities as outlined in their IEPs
• Collaboration with parents
• State and Federal Regulations
• IDEA, Section 504
• US DOE, Office for Civil Rights
• Federal Grants
• MA Regulations
• Working with MA DESE through the Mid -Cycle Review and Coordinated Program Review
• Problem Resolution through MA DESE
Bureau of Special Education Appeals: Mediation and Hearings
• Recent Legal Decisions
Endrew F: US Supreme Court Case that was decided in March 2027
• The IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable the student to make progress appropriate in light of his/her individual circumstances.
The IEP must contain ambitious goals and challenging benchmarks based upon the individual abilities and the potential of the students.
• Current evidence based practices for meeting the needs of diverse learners
• Decisions made through the IEP Team process—The team determines what accommodations,
modifications, goals, services and placement the student requires in order to make progress in the
\least restrictive environment.
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Students We Serve
• Some examples:
• Preschool students starting at age 3 with multiple disabilities. As we work with Early Intervention we
continue to identify and service students with more complex learning profiles. Some 3 year oldsjoin us at
RISE preschool with little to no communication skills, medical issue and some vision or hearing impairments.
• At elementary we have students with social emotional needs. Students who are in in and i"d grade and
older are being hospitalized. OurTSP program this year has been able to service some students with
significant needs because of the addition of a social worker dedicated to the program and the conversion of
i paraprofessionals to a part time special education teacher.
• At the elementary level we are also seeing an increasing need to provide specialized reading instruction in all
buildings through our learning centers and the Bridge program.
• At the middle level we have students with multiple disabilities. At Coolidge Middle School, through the
Compass program students are provided with adaptive academics, as well as community experiences.
• At the middle school level the Bridge program is providing a comprehensive language based program at
Parker Middle School. This program allows students to participate in the general education setting where
language based strategies are being incorporated.
• At the High School level we have seen an increase in the need for Out of District placements. There is a
combination of mental health needs, school refusal substance use and discipline issues that are impacting
these placements. Our counseling staff work closely with families, even visiting the homes of students in the
morning to try and assist the students in getting to school.
1/10/2018
11
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Frequent Terms
• IEP: Individualized Education Program developed for students with disabilities who
require specialized instruction.
• FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education
• LRE: Least Restrictive Environment- the IEP team is charged with determining the
most appropriate placement for the student and they must consider the least
restrictive environment (the general education setting)
• IEP Team: The team of individuals who determines eligibility, develops a student's
IEP and determines placement. The parents, along with a general education
teacher, special education teacher and a person with the authority to commit the
resources is required to be at each IEP team meeting.
• Team Chair: An administrator in the Reading Public Schools who coordinates the
special education process. They attend all initial, re-evaluation and special
education program meetings. They work closely with the building principal to
oversee the special education services within the building.
i 9
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
• Initial Evaluation
• Parents can request an evaluation if they suspect their child has a disability
• The district has a child find obligation- need to evaluate students that teachers suspect have a
disability
• 30 school days to complete the evaluation once the signed consent is received.
• Eligibility determination and proposed action must be completed within 45 days
• Eligibility Determination
• The IEP Team is charged with determining whether the student has a disability as defined under IDEA.
There are io categories with definition.
• Is the student making effective progress in school?
• Is the lack of progress as a result of the disability?
• Does the student require specially designed instruction or a related service to access the curriculum?
Reference: http://www.doe.rnass.edulsped/ta/elig drftoz.pdf
1/10/2018
12
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Enrollment Trends
ecial Education Cost Center (continued)
Current data
Der of students receiving special education services: 724
umber of students serviced in an inclusion setting: 532 (73.4%)
umber of student serviced in a partial inclusion setting: ioi (13.9%)
umber of students serviced in a substantially separate in -district setting: 22 (3%)
Der of students placed in an OOD placement: 69 (3./2/i8) (9.5%)
umber of students placed per a settlement agreement: 16
umber of students placed by their IEP Team: 53
sa
1/10/2018
13
1/10/2018
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Out of District Placements
• When an IEP Team determines that a student requires placement in an out of district
placement they can consider only placements that are approved by the MA DESE.
• There are approved public program (Collaboratives), Approved private day programs
and approved private residential programs.
• For private day and residential programs the rates are set by the Operational Services
Division (OSD)
Private day and residential programs are able to participate in program reconstruction
every 3 years which allows them to have rate increases beyond a cost of living increase.
Public Collaboratives can increase their rate through their Board. We are members of z
collaboratives so we are involved in decisions that involve rate increases for these z
\ placements.
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Where are our students placed?
Schools that provide a therapeutic setting:
- Beacon High School -CREST Collaborative- Pubic Day
- Dearborn Academy -Gifford
Lighthouse
Milestones
New England Academy
St. Ann's School
Valley Collaborative- Public Day
- Manville
- North Shore Consortium- Upper/Lower- Public
- SEEM Campus Academy- Public Day
-The Victor School
** Some of the students in these placements have dual diagnosis with ASD and mental
health needs. These students may also have learning disabilities.
14
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Where are our students placed?
ols that support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder:
lay Center
lelmark
lew England Center for Children
EEM- Beebe- Public Day
EEMYuell- Public Day
ecial Education Cost Center (continued)
Where are our students placed?
ools that support students with learning disabilities:
Carroll School
Corwin Russell
Eagle Hill
Landmark School
Learning Prep
Willow Hill
1/10/2018
15
1/10/2018
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Where are our students placed?
Schools that serve students with multiple handicaps:
Beverly School for the Deaf
Boston College Campus School
Cotting School
North Shore Consortium- Kevin O'Grady- Public Day
Mass Hospital School- Public- DPH
SEEM- Deaf and Hard of Hearing- Public Day
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
In -District Programs
• Connections— students identified with autism spectrum disorders. Located at Birch Meadow,
Coolidge, & RMHS. The Connections program is a co -taught model where students are
supported in the general education setting by a special education teacher and/or a
paraprofessional.
• Compass: is a substantially separate program for students' diagnosed with autism spectrum
disorder or students who require intensive instruction. Students are taught in this separate
environment using the principals of applied behavior analysis. Given the needs of the students
in this program there is a low adult to student ratio in this program. Located at Birch Meadow,
Wood End, Coolidge and RMHS.
• Crossroads— students identified with cognitive deficits. Located at Wood End, Coolidge, &
RMHS. This program services students with multiple needs and requires a low adult to student
ratio within the classroom setting. Students within this program are provided with
opportunities for inclusion based on their individual needs.
• Bricle— students identified with language -based learning disabilities and specific learning
disc ilities. Located at Eaton, Parker, & RMHS. This program is a partial inclusion program
providing intensive remediation and instruction using language based methodologies.
Depending on the needs of the individual student they may receive small group instruction for
ELA and Math, as well as specialized reading instruction. At the high school level students have
® the option of participating in small group History if necessary. o
16
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
In -District Programs
• Learning Centers (LC) — Students identified with any of the ten disability
eligibility categories. Located at each of our schools.
Therapeutic Support Program (TSP)— students identified with emotional
impairment. Located at Killam, Coolidge, & RMHS. Due to the nature of
the disabilities in this program the staffing at each level needs to include
both special education teachers, paraprofessionals and counseling staff.
POST (Providing Opportunities for Successful Transition): A collaboration
between the Wakefield Public Schools and the Reading Public Schools.
This program services students who are ages 3.8-22. The goals of this
program is to provide students with academics, life skills, social and
vocational opportunities. The 1-5-16 School Year was the first year of our
collaboration and we thus far have had a lot of success.
Special Education Cost Center
32.1% of Total Budget
Special Education Administrators and Secretaries
Special Education Teachers and Paraprofessionals
Therapeutic Specialists (OT, PT, SLP)
Extended School Year Program Staff and Expenses, per student IEPs
Legal Services for all Student Related Issues
Home and Hospital Tutoring
Consultative and Evaluative Services
Adaptive Equipment and Technology
Testing and Assessment Software, Materials, and Services
Instructional Materials and Supplies
Transportation
Out -of -District Tuition
103
1/10/2018
17
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Major Changes
• FY'ig Superintendent Recommended Budget: $13,693,652
• FY'18 Adopted Budget: $12,546,594
' $ Increase: $1,147,058
• Salary and benefit obligations to employees per collective bargaining agreements and
non-union COLA adjustments.
• Increase in Out of District Placements resulting in increases in tuition expenses and
transportation expenses. We have not funded this line item at the full amount and mostly
likely will need to request additional funding at Town Meeting next November.
• A $20o,000 decrease in Circuit Breaker reimbursement.
• Decrease in the IDEA grant as a result of decreased funding and the proportionate share
calculation.
• Decrease in the special education tuition revolving account (sioo,000) due to less students
being tuitioned in to our programs next year.
oy
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Major Changes
Personnel Additions
1/10/2018
• i.o FTE RISE Preschool Teacher (685,197)for an additional sub -separate classroom for identified
three year old students with disabilities. This classroom will be added beginning in January, 2018
and was not identified as a need in the FY18 budget.
• 3.o FTE RISE Special Education Paraeducators (663,840) for an additional sub -separate classroom
for identified three year old students with disabilities. This classroom will be added beginning in
January, 2018 and was not identified as a need in the FY18 budget.
• 3.o FTE Special Education Paraeducators ($72,000) for identified needs in our special education
programs for the 2018-ig school year.
Personnel Restructuring—no additional funding
• Existing .5 BCBA (635,000) and consultative/home tutoring services ($40,000) to increase the
position to a i.o FTE BCBA.
• Addition of Special Education Professional Development ($iS,000) from zero in FY18 to
address decrease in the state program improvement grant. This funding will be used to
help analyze reading services in our schools that have language based programs.
LUJ
RUl
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Increase of BCBA
1.o FTE Increase from Restructured Consult and Home Services Funds
District Benefits:
-Continued support of the In -District programs with in -district staff.
-Decrease the need for consultative services for FBAs and consultation.
-Increase support for special education and general education teachers in working with students
with behavioral needs.
-Provide training for para professionals and classroom teachers.
-Provide consultation and support to families to ensure consistency between home and school.
-Available to assist with program exploration for out of district students (so far this year have
assisted in exploring for 5 students)
-Available to assist with observing and evaluating potential incoming students to RISE
-Available to report out at meetings on home assessments that are completed by other staff
-Provide BCBA supervision hours to certain in district staff that are pursuing their BCBA
certification (supervision rates are usually between $75-$15o an hour and supervisees need 75
supervision hours to sit for the BCBA exam)
ia6
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Increase of BCBA
1.o FTE Increase from Restructured Consult and Home Services Funds
Current Numbers:
-28 consults based on Student IEPs (across 9 buildings); equals approximately zo hours per week
(slight increase from last year)
-Providing consultation for 9 other students across the district on a regular weekly or monthly
basis (increase from last year)
-io home consults based on Student IEPs; approximately 14 hours per month (slight decrease
from last year)
Provide
-Program consults to RISE, Compass, Connections, Crossroads, POST, and 5th grade classrooms
at Joshua Eaten (Joshua Eaten added this year)
-This year so far: 4 FBAs completed; i extended evaluation (slight decrease from last year at this
point)
1/10/2018
19
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Increase of BCBA
1.o FTE Increase from Restructured Consult and Home Services Funds
• Consultation Costs:
SEEM: $iio/hour
Creative Behavior Solutions: $12o/hour
FBA requires up to 15 hours of at the hourly rate above (roughly $i650)
This cost would be incurred for any student who has an IEP that requires this service and they
are not in one of our district programs that are currently supported by our in -District BCBA.
This is also the cost for home services that are required for some of our students.
special Education Cost Center (continued)
Increases in the Team Chair line
line includes Team Chairs and the z BCBAs that are being proposed for the FY
fidget.
ry increases are included in this line item.
e Clarifications:
rhe FY 18 Budget cut the Team Chair line by .5 FTE. The Out of District Coordinator.
rhe FY A Budget captured a 0.7 position at the High School and the need is fora 1.o Team
hair. The o.3 was added to the FY A budget as the High School requires 2.o FTE Team
hairs.
Due to vacancies during the current school year there were additional costs incurred in the
ream Chair line for the FY A budget. These additional expenses will not be included in the
=Y ig budget.
1/10/2018
P41,
1/10/2018
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Legal Services Line
• The legal services line in the special education cost center represents the
use of legal counsel for any student related issue. These include: Special
education, bullying investigations, harassment investigations and discipline.
• Legal Counsel also reviews all handbooks and student related policies that
are approved by School Committee
• The district provides training to the administrative team at least annually by
legal counsel on current legal topics. These include investigations, Section
504, etc.
• During FY 18 legal counsel was asked to present to School Committee on
Settlement Agreements.
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Legal Services: Rejected IEP
• Parents have the right to reject their child's IEP either in full or in part and to
reject the proposed placement. Parents have the right to pursue a due process
hearing if they feel the issues cannot be resolved through the team process.
' State -Wide Data from FY 16
• io,800 Rejected IEPs were received
• 568 Rejects for Hearing
• 23 Hearing Decisions were issued
Timeframe
Total # of Rejections
Processed during Total # of
timeframe Students Hearins Filed
Sept 1 2017 -Present
33 31 0
Se ti 2016 -Aug 31, 2017
130 go
e t 1 2015 -Aug 1 2016
103 74 1 2
pal
1/10/2018
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
FY19 Budget By Object
Professional
4,484,815
4,733,026
5,413,021
5,730,212
6,187,965
8.o%
71,991
90,235
86,980
91,322
95,168
4.2%
1,838,792
1,go1,588
1,952,461
2,126,630
2,333,531
9.7%
•
1654,759
1,508,857
1,619,o6g
1,450,194
1,666,825
14.9%
Supplies & ■
Materials
77,401
62,295
64,125
48,995
48,995
0.0%
2,226,423
2,673,123
2,580,232
3,099,240
3,361,168
8.5%
•
10,254,181
10,969,125
11,715,889
12,546,594
13,693,652
9.1%
Breakdown of Special Education
Budget by Detail
Page .39 and 41
FYi8 School Committee Budget Presentations
22
WMIllif
Special Education Cost Center (continued)
Previous School Committee Meetings
• Special Education Update and OCR Findings
• September 25, 2017
h {� :��r<<w.youtube.comlwatch?v=XC21fo..IvYUY&index 7&list=PLkibnMpzkYxsStceySdmCGRg4HbLigmSh
• Proportionate Share and the IDEA Grant
• November6, 2017
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?vaeFzL ECv Fk&index=4&list=PLkibnMpzKYxsrtceySdmCGRqr,HbLigmS
• Some Special Education Updates between 2014t0 present
• May 23, 2016:
https://www.youtube.comlwatch?v=) f6ZVsBdYzE&Iist=PLkibnMpzKY)ctYdkPUiQ7ZBss@2N bh QO&index=
8
• September 21, 2o15: httDS://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeMhBPRDLzA
• Settlement Agreements and Public Records Requests
• November 22, 2o16
• , w x _com/watch?v=EvvVHr6rM6M&t=e1s&index=20&list=PLI<ibnMpzt'YxtYdkPU Q7ZBssg
2N bh ;QO
Questions
FY19 School Committee Budget Presentations
m
1/10/2018
23