Board of Education — July 11, 2023

Early transcript-only summary — no source links

The Redlands Unified School District Board of Education held a regular meeting where they approved previous meeting minutes and heard a comprehensive presentation from Katie Buck Miller, Executive Director of Special Services, on the district's inclusion program for students with disabilities. The presentation detailed the legal requirements for inclusion under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), noted that Redlands ranked in the bottom 10% of California for inclusion practices (44% vs. 69% state average), and outlined a rollout plan beginning with transitional kindergarten through second grade at elementary schools. The board also received committee reports from various board members regarding cultural arts, parks and recreation, and the Redlands Teachers Association's summer activities and plans for the upcoming school year.

Key decisions

• Approved minutes from May 23, 2023 regular meeting, May 30, 2023 special board meetings/workshops, and June 13, 2023 regular meeting (unanimous vote: all ayes)
• Approved expansion of inclusion program beginning with TK-2nd grade rollout in elementary schools
• Approved hiring of approximately five additional special education teachers to support TK-2 inclusion rollout
• Approved creation of four geographic pods with extensive needs and moderate needs classes to reduce student transportation
• Approved professional development plan for co-teaching training using Bureau of Education Research (BEAR) and train-the-trainer model

Notable speakers

Katie Buck Miller - Executive Director of Special Services, presented comprehensive inclusion program overview and pilot results, Unnamed teacher from Crafton pilot - shared positive observations about student growth and interactions, Unnamed teacher - discussed uncertainty about role definitions in inclusion model, Unnamed teacher - expressed enthusiasm about student progress, Board member Jim - asked detailed questions about staffing, safety nets, parent reactions, and middle school models, Board member (unnamed) - asked about busing changes and students needing more restrictive environments, Board member - asked detailed questions about co-teaching models, SAI teacher caseloads, and professional development, Board chair - asked about timeline for identifying students who need more restrictive environments, Jim - reported on Cultural Arts Commission activities and proposed student art project for train track walls, RTA representative - reported on teacher summer activities, professional development attendance, and upcoming superintendent meet-and-greet

Topics: Inclusion program for students with disabilities · Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) compliance · Least restrictive environment requirements · Co-teaching models · Special education staffing and resources · Professional development for teachers · Student transportation · TK and elementary inclusion pilot program results · Middle school inclusion expansion · Cultural arts in public spaces · Teacher summer activities and professional growth · New superintendent welcome activities