(Credit: LISD)
The Leander Independent School District will be adding 18 new special education positions to the ranks for thr 2019-2020 school year. The move comes amid district data showing a 9.3-percent increase in the special education population over the past year — a trend growth that is expected to continue throughout this year.
#LISDBoard releases 18 new special education positions for the 2019-20 school year at an approximate cost of $795,176. As of Aug. 15, LISD’s special education population has grown by 9.3{211d4eaff5f6ab776b9f468c919065fc3aae4df093916ddbc4a838f2fb9137eb}. Trend data indicates that additional growth will continue to occur throughout the year.
— Leander ISD (@LeanderISD) September 6, 2019
The school board voted 6-0 in favor of adding the positions, which will come at an estimated cost of $795,176. Much of that cost will not come from the district’s own budget, but rather from newly approved state money that was released to public schools with the passage of Senate Bill 500. LISD received $663,540 through SB 500’s funding.
According to the school board’s agenda, the additional 18 positions are necessary due to the bloated caseloads of therapists, speech pathologists, and other support staff.
