Hamilton County Schools has proposed changing its staffing for students with disabilities in the fall — a move district officials believe is what’s best for students, but the proposal has been met with pushback from parents and teachers.
For the 2025-26 academic year, the district has proposed staffing exceptional education based on the number of service hours students receive, as opposed to the current staffing based on caseload.
While the school system is facing a tight budget this year, the changes to exceptional education staffing are not related to finances and have been in the works for over a year, district officials said.
On Thursday, the district will recommend to the Hamilton County school board that it reinvest the funds generated by the staffing model change into other positions supporting exceptional education students, specifically by doubling the number of board certified behavior analysts, registered behavioral technicians and roving behavior assistants.
The Exceptional Education Department “commits to partnering with families and community agencies to ensure the spirit and implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act by creating, fostering and supporting inclusive environments, services and programs that meet the unique individual needs of all eligible special education students, including those students identified as gifted,” according to the district website.