AUGUSTA — The Board of Education on Wednesday expects to receive reports on special education and literacy and to consider updating several school policies ranging from postsecondary enrollment options to drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers.
Lynne Adams, special education director, is scheduled to give board members an overview of special education in the city’s schools at the board’s meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. in council chambers at Augusta City Center.
Augusta has 2,159 students, 383, or 17 percent, of whom receive special education services, according to a report prepared by Adams. The school system has 31 professional staff members, including teachers, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists; and 49 “paraprofessionals,” or education technicians, working in special education.
Adams’ report to the board is expected to include a review of disabilities that make students eligible for special education services, programs of instruction and individual education plans, and what services are offered at each of Augusta’s public schools.
Board members also are scheduled to hear from Theresa Violette, director of Title 1 and the system’s “homeless liaison,” on efforts and programs meant to help improve student literacy and to help homeless students succeed. Her report is expected to include a description of summer programs for students whose reading is not up to standards and efforts to provide additional support for homeless students.
Updated or new policies up for approval Wednesday include policies on the public’s right to know and freedom of access to information, postsecondary enrollment options, drug and alcohol testing of school bus drivers, school board vacancies caused by members not attending meetings regularly and evaluation of the superintendent.
Board members also are scheduled to consider adopting an updated emergency plan for all the system’s schools, as well as accepting donations, and approving staff and student travel requests.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @kedwardskj
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