JAY — Regional School Unit 73 is seeing greater demand for special education services, particularly among prekindergarten and kindergarten students, with 340 districtwide.

Special Services Director Cherie Parker told the RSU 73 board of directors Sept. 24 that the district has 26 open referrals for special education evaluation, including 19 at Spruce Mountain Primary School in Livermore.

The number of students receiving special education services has increased by 11 since the start of the school year. The primary school serves 90 students, also an increase of 11, and accounts for much of the districtwide growth.

Parker said prekindergarten and kindergarten students account for much of the increase in referrals.

“The scary part is we’ve had such an influx of referrals at this age group, they’ve assigned us a second case manager,” Parker said. “So, it’s definitely a high-need group.”

Spruce Mountain Elementary School in Jay has 72 students with individualized education programs, while the Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay has 74 and Spruce Mountain High School, also in Jay, has 104. Fourteen students with individualized education programs are placed in day treatment programs or special-purpose private schools outside the district.

The district also has several open special education positions, including an educational technician II at the high school, a special education social worker serving kindergarten through grade 5 and a half-time educational technician I supporting prekindergarten students.

Parker said contracted remote special education teachers are providing case management and supporting staff working directly with students.

“This year has started off to be a challenge for many of our staff members, veteran or novice, pre-K to grade 12,” Parker said.

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