SPECIAL EDUCATION DEMANDS ON THE RISE, MORE STAFF NEEDED

Demands for special education services are rising significantly in the school district, according to a report issued last week by Ella Rideau, the special education director, who recommended more staff be hired that could run up to $400,000.

"We are significantly higher this year," Rideau told the school board. "It's across grade levels ... There is nothing that really indicates why this year."

In an overview of the program offered at the Dec. 21 school board meeting, Rideau revealed that the number of special education referrals had jumped from 140 in the first four months of 2014 to 204 during the same period this year.

She added that the overall referrals are on target to exceed 400 by the end of the current school year, up from 333 during 2014-2015. Rideau predicated that would mean more staff is needed during the summer to deal with incoming students.

Overall special education student placement is also up from 914 two years ago to 934 last year to 950 so far this year. Learning disabilities make up 42% of those students, with 20% having other heath issues, 14% communication impaired and 11% related to autism.

Among the recommendations for handling this ongoing increase are expanded support and class options as well as the hiring of eight new full-time special education staffers. Board Member Jeffrey Bennett estimated that could run more than $400,000.