High schools may beef up special education

Andrew Edwards

The Huntington Beach Union High School District proposes to add two

new special education programs in hopes of keeping special needs

students in district schools.

The new programs, which would start in the fall, would be

self-contained classes that would serve autistic students and

students identified as being emotionally disturbed.

If both programs are successfully put into place, the district may

be able to attract students who are currently being educated in

specialized private schools, said Irene White, director of the West

Orange County Consortium for Special Education.

“Currently, we cannot meet their needs in our district,” said

Carol Osbrink, district assistant superintendent for educational

services.

The availability of counselors at private schools can make them

attractive to families with children who have special needs, White

said.

“Sometimes [special-needs student’s] meltdowns can last from two

minutes to the entire day,” White said.

New classes would require new staff members, such as an autism

specialist, a psychologist and an experienced teacher for the

emotionally disturbed students, said Jim Keating, the district’s

special education director.

“The well-trained experienced teacher is critical,” Keating said.

Seven autistic high school students have been placed in private

schools and 27 emotionally disturbed high school students have been

placed in specialized environments, according to district figures.

The district foots the bill for these programs, and the per-student

cost can range from just under $30,000 to $70,000. If no action is

taken, the costs will increase as more special needs students enter

the district, White said.

In the last several years, there has been a 240% increase in the

number of autistic children across the state, according to Linda

Forsythe, a program director with the consortium.

“That wave of students is about to hit the district,” she said.

Officials anticipate 21 autistic students and 31 emotionally

disturbed students will enter the district next year.

The new classes are not expected to come cheap, but officials

estimate the district will save money if they enhance special

education in the district.

Start up costs for the program would be about $110,000, White

said, and the annual cost for the new classes would be $385,000.

By recovering students in private schools, however, officials

anticipate a savings next year of more than $1.2 million.