1. WORK SESSION [9:00 a.m.]
Subject
1.01 Review of Special Education Staffing Plan
Meeting
Feb 15, 2017 - Board of Education Work Session [9:00 a.m. - Noon]
Type
Information, Discussion
Goals
Goal 1 Student Achievement - FCPS will equip each and every student to be an empowered learner and an engaged citizen to achieve a positive impact in the local and global community.
Goal 2 Effective and Engaged Staff - FCPS will hire, support, and retain staff who champion individual, professional, and student excellence.
Goal 3 Resource Allocation - FCPS will pursue and utilize all resources strategically and responsibly to achieve identified outcomes and inspire public confidence.

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  In an effort to better support the needs of students with disabilities and to provide enhanced supports to schools in doing so, a revised model for how special education staff is allocated to schools is proposed for Board discussion.

 

BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:  Currently, special education staffing to schools is provided on a ratio of one special education teacher per 200 students enrolled in an elementary school, and one special education teacher to every 250 students enrolled in secondary schools.  This model has been in place for many years and has not taken into consideration the differing needs of students and schools based on current expectations.  The proposed model will allocate staff based on caseload sizes per special education teacher.  Additionally, staffing will be allocated for schools with higher percentages of students with autism and emotional disabilities.  While staffing for students in specialized programs will remain the same, increased support will be provided to students, staff and families in these programs through the allocation of Coordinators for Specialized Programs.  Lastly, to expand the continuum of services for students in specialized programs at the elementary level, the following additional programs will be added: Pyramid, Learning For Life, Challenges, and Inclusive Pre-K.

 

PROCESS STATEMENT:  Special Education & Psychological Services Department staff has participated in workgroups and discussions regarding general staffing needs for schools.  These discussions supported the need for this department to review its staffing model.  A recommendation from SECAC during their February 24, 2016 presentation to the board was for the expansion of the number of inclusive special education pre-k programs in our system.  They also recognized the need for increased behavioral supports for students.  This model is supportive of both discussions on general staffing for schools and recommendations from SECAC.

 

PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):

Dr. Keith Harris, Executive Director Accelerating Achievement and Equity

Michelle Concepcion and Carol Breeze, Directors Special Education & Psychological Services.

 

SUBMITTED BY: 

Dr. Keith Harris, Executive Director of Accelerating Achievement and Equity

 

 

File Attachments
02.15.17_2017-2018 Special Ed Staffing Model Proposed.pdf (521 KB)
1. WORK SESSION [9:00 a.m.]
Subject
1.02 Review of 2017-18 Staffing Model/Allocations
Meeting
Feb 15, 2017 - Board of Education Work Session [9:00 a.m. - Noon]
Type
Action, Information, Discussion
Goals
Goal 3 Resource Allocation - FCPS will pursue and utilize all resources strategically and responsibly to achieve identified outcomes and inspire public confidence.
Goal 2 Effective and Engaged Staff - FCPS will hire, support, and retain staff who champion individual, professional, and student excellence.

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:  To continue the conversation with the Board of Education (BOE) regarding staffing model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

File Attachments
Motion & Voting
The intent is to maintain counselors that were there last year, for one year, and we’ll use whatever number of positions are needed, and then start looking at who has needs due to enrollment.

Carter Gipson, Student Member of the Board supported the motion.

Motion by April F Miller, second by Michael G Bunitsky.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elizabeth Barrett, Michael G Bunitsky, Colleen E Cusimano, Ken Kerr, Joy Schaefer, Brad W Young
Not Present at Vote: April F Miller
1. WORK SESSION [9:00 a.m.]
Subject
1.03 Legislative Update
Meeting
Feb 15, 2017 - Board of Education Work Session [9:00 a.m. - Noon]
Type
Action, Information, Discussion

 

The links below to House bill 1028 and Senate Bill 0804 Frederick County Board of Education - Student Member is being posted for the Board to review. 

 

 

 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/hb/hb1028f.pdf

 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/sb/sb0804f.pdf

 

 

File Attachments
Motion & Voting
Moved to inform the legislator who requested that we do something that we are taking no action, but we considered her request.

Carter Gipson, Student Member of the Board supported the motion.

Motion by Elizabeth Barrett, second by Colleen E Cusimano.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Elizabeth Barrett, Michael G Bunitsky, Colleen E Cusimano, Ken Kerr, Joy Schaefer
Abstain: April F Miller, Brad W Young
1. WORK SESSION [9:00 a.m.]
Subject
1.04 Adjournment
Meeting
Feb 15, 2017 - Board of Education Work Session [9:00 a.m. - Noon]
Type
Procedure
File Attachments