Education
BY THOMAS LEFFLER
$2M approved for CISD special education staff
Number of special education students at Comal ISD The state saw an increase in children with disabilities partially due to changes in categorization for disabilities such as dyslexia, Michele Martella, CISD’s executive director of special programs and services said.
+178.79%
6,000 4,000 2,000 0
The Comal ISD board of trustees approved the addition of 22 special education positions for the 2025-26 school year on June 26. The board approved the staffing request at a cost of $1.97 million to the district’s 2025-26 fis- cal year budget, according to agenda documents. Why it matters In addition to 19 special education paraprofes- sionals, the district will be adding two teachers for the Life Bridges program and one deaf support specialist, Communications Specialist Salwa Lanford said in an email to Community Impact . The district’s Life Bridges program helps to educate young adults with disabilities to
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SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
increase independence in family and commu- nity settings, according to the district’s website. What they’re saying The staffing additions are to accommodate the growing number of students with disabilities and ensure enhanced support and inclusive educational opportunities for all learners, Lanford said in the email. Michele Martella, the district’s executive director of special programs and services, told
the board that the state has seen an increase in children identified with disabilities, partially due to changes in categorization for disabilities such as dyslexia. Trustee Jason York said the special education staffing additions mirror growing enrollment in the student population. “For me, looking at this, I know the number [of additions] is relatively high, but I think this is finally going to get us close to where we need to be,” York said.
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