Special Education and funding for school resource officer generates discussion

The Nov. 17 voting meeting of the Exeter School Board began with a special education report presented by Dr. Sue Miller, director of special education and pupil services.

Miller began her presentation by noting part of special education’s role is to have a keen eye on fiscal responsibility to obtain goals.

“We are definitely dropping down in our special education numbers,” said Miller. Her report noted that the decrease in numbers related to speech and language services through reevaluating procedures for secondary students and as a result of stronger remediation programs. The current child count for special education students is 701. In 2013, the count was 742 students.

Handwriting Clubs were initiated last year in all elementary schools from kindergarten and first grades. One day a week an occupational therapist works with a group of students on handwriting and other fine motor skills while the other four days are covered by the help of aids. “We started a response to intervention model for occupational therapy. We had a lot of parents and teachers referring students for handwriting assessments and evaluations,” said Miller. “A lot of kids were getting individual evaluation plans [IEPs] for occupational therapy and sometimes when they get on it’s very hard to exit them.”

Since the school district began working with one private provider and hiring their own speech therapist this year has helped reduce the cost. Another option is monitoring out-of-district tuition and out-of-district students. Cyber school continues to assist in the matter Its been a really wonderful program for students, who for one reason or another, cannot attend a physical high school environment,” said Miller with optimism in her voice. “Out of 10 seniors last year, nine walked in graduation.”

Despite the decrease in expenses, Miller is concerned by the increase in group home students. A child with special education needs can remain in the school system until they are 21 years-old.

“Many of the adults who are moving in are students who have very high needs,” she said. “Of the students coming in from the group home their needs are extremely high and we’ve had to place them in very expensive out- of- district placements with specialized bussing. Miller urged school board members that the cost can become expensive.

The school board was unaware if the township has any zoning or ordinances regarding group home housing.

If the parent of a child in a group home remains the guardian Exeter school district can bill the students home district, however, if the children are wards of the state the financial responsibility falls on Exeter School District.

“Theoretically, we could have a half-a-million dollar bill this year due to these group homes?” questioned James Brady, school board member.

The school district has had five students from a group home since July. The dollar figure could fall below Brady’s theoretical figure, but every month the district is receiving a new child because “they just keep moving in,” said Miller.

“If they are outside the district or if we have to take them outside the district and put them wherever why aren’t they then having a group home up there rather than having a group home down here?” asked Patricia O’Brien-Pieja, treasurer. President Robert H. Quinter informed O’BrienPieja that while the student is living in the group home under their care than the individual is a resident of Exeter Township.

Miller followed-up by mentioning the educational facilities where students are sent to outside the district are not residency facilities and requires students be bussed over an hour away.

After the special education report concluded, the school board moved onto the state budget update with preview of 2016-17 general fund budget presented by Anne Guydish, business manager and board secretary.

Currently on the table is $350 million new money for basic education funding and $50 million for special education. There is the possibility of a sales tax increase to 7.25 percent. The Property Tax Independence Act remains part of the dis- cussion.

The other hot ticket item on the agenda was approval of a new position, which would be filled by a School Resource Officer. The motion carried with a 5-3 vote, but not without discussion.

Dr. David Bender, board member, began the discussion by stating his opposition to the new position.

“I am committed to the priority of safety and security for our children and the staff and for that reason I think this is the wrong direction,” said Bender. “I think we should be using that money to hire a consultant to look at our current situation and make recommendations that we then could prioritize to improve the safety and security of the district.”

Russell Diesinger, board member, also expressed his opposition and concern for the new position. “I will be voting against it.

“I do agree in principle with what Dr. Bender shared with you. I think from my 15 years on the board when I’ve always said to people is ‘I don’t think the board could ever screw up if it keeps its eye on the ball.’ The ball being the students, and I don’t think this about the stu- dents,” said Diesinger. “If we have a need at the high school, in particular, for additional help with discipline than I believe we ought to invest in a new vice principal’s position.”

O’Brien-Pieja also voted against the motion.

Joseph Staub, board member, voted for the initiative.

“I would hate to be coming back saying ‘ What-If.’ Unfortunately, this is the type of situation where it can be,” said Staub. “You can’t put a price on safety.”

Also in favor for the motion were board members Michael Jupina, Jr., Carole Kutscher, James Brady, and President Quinter.

Tuesday night’s meeting was the last for Joseph Staub. Prior to the closing of the meeting, Staub was thanked for his service and presented with a plaque by President Quinter for his dedication and commitment to the children and residents of Exeter Township. He was saluted with a round of applause from colleagues and members of the audience.

A reorganization meeting took place Monday, Dec. 7. The next voting meeting for the school board is Tuesday, Dec. 15.