In the News #2: “Parents say Special School District isn’t meeting student needs, while district defends staffing changes” KSDK reports
- Damon C
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — For some parents, trusting St. Louis County’s Special School District is no longer an option.
As a former special education teacher, I’ve had the unique privilege of watching the evolution of the Special School District (SSD) from both inside the classroom and from an outsider’s perspective. That’s why it’s deeply concerning to read about the district’s current situation.
When I was teaching in SSD, I witnessed first-hand the district’s commitment to its students with disabilities. We were a district with a surplus in the bank—more than $100 million at the time—reflecting sound fiscal management, as well as a genuine focus on providing the best for students. Fast forward to today, and I’m hearing that SSD is now facing a significant financial shortfall, all while parents are expressing frustration over a decline in services and support for students.
It’s incredibly troubling to see that the district, which once had the financial resources to expand and support programs, is now making staffing cuts and undergoing changes that appear to negatively impact the very students it was designed to serve.
Financial Surplus to Debt: What Happened?
As someone who has always been passionate about the financial stewardship of our school districts, this turnaround in SSD’s financial situation is baffling. When I left the district, SSD had a surplus of over $100 million in the bank. It was a well-managed budget that reflected a commitment to sustainability and planning for the future. To hear that the district is now in debt is troubling, especially when you consider that it should be in a position to maintain services or even expand them, given its once healthy financial standing.
The shift from surplus to deficit raises many questions about the district’s financial decisions. Were these changes necessary to address unforeseen circumstances, or were they part of a broader pattern of mismanagement? Given the district’s mandate to serve students with special needs, it’s hard to reconcile how such financial missteps could have been allowed to happen, especially when the district was in a position of strength not too long ago.
The Human Cost of Staffing Cuts
The article also highlights something that deeply resonates with me: the human cost of these staffing changes. As a former teacher, I know that special education staff play an invaluable role in helping students with disabilities succeed. The relationship between students and their educators is built on trust, consistency, and individualized attention. When staff cuts occur, it’s not just a line item on a balance sheet—it’s the disruption of the educational experience for students who need that stability and care the most.
A Call for Accountability and Transparency
As we continue to watch these developments unfold, it’s critical that SSD is held accountable for the changes it is implementing. The district has an obligation not just to its students, but to the families who trust it to provide an appropriate education. As the article notes, SSD insists that its changes are necessary and in the best interest of students, but it’s up to all of us—whether we are parents, educators, or stakeholders—to demand clarity, transparency, and accountability.
We must ensure that the needs of our most vulnerable students are not sacrificed for financial expediency. Special education is not a “nice-to-have” service—it is a right, enshrined in law, and it should be treated as such. The students in SSD deserve a district that is as committed to their success as it is to balancing the budget.
Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change
As a district stakeholder, I call on SSD’s leadership to take a hard look at its priorities. The district must make financial decisions that are not just about cutting costs, but about ensuring the long-term success and well-being of its students. This will require making tough choices, but those choices should never come at the expense of the services that students with disabilities need to thrive.
As a community, we must also keep the pressure on our local school boards and district leaders to ensure that they’re making decisions with students—not the bottom line—in mind. As the story continues to unfold, let’s work together to ensure that SSD becomes the district that it once was—a district committed to the success of all its students, no matter their needs.
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