The number of special needs students is increasing in Ignacio schools, Superintendent Rocco Fuschetto told the school board on Feb. 12.
"They have increased by quite a few in all buildings, but especially in the mid school," he said. The 42 special needs students there constitute 20 to 25 percent of the student population there. The numbers are up at all three schools.
"We had over 30 new students come in with an IEP (Individual Education Plan)," Middle School Principal Chris deKay reported. Those are special ed students.
Board president Toby Roderick commented, "It seems like we're getting this influx of higher needs. What's our plan for handling this, to insure that we have success and are looked on as innovative in that area?"
Curriculum and Assessment Director Kathy Pokorney said, "We're probably one of the only districts that has special ed students on our Knowledge Bowl teams. That really says a lot for us as an educational community."
She continued, "Our center-based program is another strong feather in our cap, the way the high school students are responding to those kids." Those are low functioning high school age kids. They include two from Bayfield, according to Fuschetto.
Roderick said, "I just want to make sure we have a plan to handle it. With our new buildings, I think this is some place where we can excel. I don't care what outside organizations say about us. We're doing the right thing by our kids."
Pokorney added, "This district is phenomenal in supporting special needs kids." By adding a staff position, there will be one full-time special needs person at the elementary school and one full-time person at the mid school, she said. The board approved Austin Thorne for the new position.
Elementary School Principal Karl Herr said, "The elementary teachers have really embraced this, to help those kids be part of the classroom."
Fuschetto told the Times they are seeing a wide variety of special needs, including physical, behavioral, and academic. Usually the average is around 10 percent of enrollment, he said, but this year it's up to 14 or 15 percent.
Asked if he had any idea why the increase is happening, he said, "People move into the district. We will provide the best services we can to any kid that walks through the door."
