Stillwater Public Education Foundation awarded the Special Services Department at SPS $10,000
Austin Hula, Assistant Special Services Director for SPS, explains the need for this initiative:
“Stillwater Public Schools take great pride in offering top-notch special education services to children ages three through twenty-two. The history of excellent education for all students, including those with disabilities runs deep in our district. The cost of providing these services continues to increase at an alarming rate. Equipment required for students with unique medical and/or physical limitations is quite costly. Our district is responsible for purchasing all necessary equipment regardless of the cost if it is needed for the child to access his/her education. One piece of equipment can easily cost in excess of $5000 and sometimes must be updated due to growing bodies. Along with an increase in operational cost, the number of certified special education teachers is decreasing across the state. In an effort to better support the great staff that are currently working for SPS, and support new staff to our district, we are expanding our mentorship program. These mentors are able to work beside our certified special education staff, providing assistance with instructional delivery, classroom management, and the legal documentation that is required in special education. These mentors are a pivotal component in the success of our certified Special education staff, and we are excited to grow in this area. Special education is partially funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). However, the incoming funds from IDEA cover less than 20% of the cost for our district. The remaining cost is covered by our district general fund. Our partnership with SPEF is such an important one! We deeply appreciate any and all financial assistance we can receive to help us continue to provide the best possible education to our most vulnerable student population.
“The MVP campaign is a wonderful way for our community to come together to celebrate the teachers who make a difference every day while also supporting those who need it most,” said Emily Lewis, Executive Director of the Stillwater Public Education Foundation. “We hope that this campaign will not only highlight the incredible work of Stillwater teachers and staff but also provide essential funding to Special Services programs that help our students thrive. We’re grateful for our title sponsor, Oklahoma Community Credit Union, presenting sponsor, Mayes Contracting, and community sponsors: 4KidzSake.org, C-Star Property Management, Central Rural Electric Cooperative, and Lucas Grounds – State Farm. They make this program possible and we’re thankful for their support!”
