Dec 13 Board meeting - Note from Dena

As you may have already heard, the district is making attempts to reconfigure the SPED Dept. I believe this has come about due to the many reasons.  First, the school board members requested a study to be done last August to gain understanding as to why S.G.U.S.D. cannot retain SPED teachers.   One reason is that we have had several valuable SPED teachers  transfer into Gen Ed positions.  Also, the district has received the resignation of Mrs. Mbugua,  and the district has been unable to find a strong candidate to fill  the Program Specialists Position as well. The job descriptions  Mrs. Mbugua  and the Program Specialist  will be changed and in the interim, the district is hiring someone to sit in on the IEP's. The district has also hired a teacher at Jefferson to help with assessments.  

A presentation will be made to the board on Tuesday night from Asst. Supt. Tiffany Rudek and Anna Molinar.  SGTA is asking that SPED and Gen Ed teachers attend the board meeting to express that there is a strong need to look into how our SPED programs our implemented district wide. Recently we are seeing a trend where more SPED students are being mainstreamed into Gen Ed, class rosters are maxed out and Gen Ed teachers are given minimal support. If I am correct, this will continue to happen more frequently in the years to come.  

If you wish to address the board, you may do so prior the board meeting at 7 pm or you can even wait to speak prior to the actual SPED presentation.  I can't tell you what to say, as many of you have a much better grasp of what changes need to take place so that our SPED Dept. can successfully meet the needs of our students, however, here are some pointers:

• Speak from the heart
• Share your experiences
• Stay positive and share your solutions (SPED task force, salary increase,  Inclusion specialists, stipends,  PD support for Gen Ed, assessment coordinator,  more instructional aides, etc...)

Thank you, 

Dena Dragoo
SGTA Pres.