Chapter 5-29 indicates a projected decrease in the number of hours of service required for students served by Hours-Based Staffing. Is this based on a change in the Hours-Based Staffing ratio or has the ratio stayed the same but the number of hours needed by currently enrolled students has decreased? Please clarify.

Question#: 23

BUDGET PAGE REFERENCE: 5–29

ANSWER:

The Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2014 Operating Budget does not include any changes in the ratios or formulas used to generate the projections for the proposed budget or staffing allocations for the Office of Special Education and Student Services.  Based on data provided by schools regarding their student articulation patterns and the data extracted from the Online Administrative Student Information System/Special Services, the number of hours has decreased. This projected decrease in hours results in a reduction of 18.75 paraeducator positions.