Parents in the Mars Area School District are expressing concerns about the lack of special education courses but the school board and administrators maintain that progress is being made toward improvement.
A large number of parents attended Tuesday night’s school board meeting, with many standing to address the board about a lack of quality special education programs available at Mars. A list of questions was provided to board members from a Facebook group made up of 120 people with similar concerns.
School board members pointed out administrators are now working on a special education corrective action plan, which they say takes time. Within the next three to four months, the administration will bring recommendations to the board, who will then decide at a public meeting what actions will be taken.
Superintendent Dr. Wes Shipley said improving special education has been a particular focus for multiple years as five new staff members have been hired in that area. A consultant from a respected outside company has also been hired to help facilitate early intervention programs beginning at the Mars Primary Center.
