ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Following a special education audit, Allentown School District may consider adding a new assistant superintendent position to oversee such services.
The district also will work with a consultant group to improve its infrastructure to better serve students who have disabilities.
School directors approved on Thursday the continued partnership with Total School Solutions Consulting Services over the next three school years at a cost not to exceed $450,850.
ASD will work with the consultant group to create a comprehensive action plan that aligns its special education programming to the priorities of the district's overall strategic plan.
“I want to commend us for taking this bold step to do this audit,” Board President Andrene Brown-Nowell said. “I look at this as an opportunity to support our most vulnerable students.”
Total School Solutions launched the audit in fall 2024. The consultants then spent the past six months conducting focus groups and collecting surveys to get feedback from school directors, parents, students, teachers and school leaders about the state of special education in the district.
“I look at this as an opportunity to support our most vulnerable students."Andrene Brown-Nowell, Allentown School Board president
Thirty parents and 223 district staff members completed surveys; 66 staff members also were interviewed.
Additionally, the consultants observed 23 district classrooms for strengths and weaknesses.
“I want to make sure that people understand that this was important to do as an organization to look at our strengths and to look at opportunities for growth and development,” Superintendent Carol Birks said.
The audit found ASD is in compliance with processes for its individualized education program, which outlines the accommodations or services a special education student receives.
Other audit commendations for ASD included dedicated teachers, enhanced communication with parents and collaboration between the special and general education departments.
New assistant superintendent role
The audit also made recommendations for how to improve the district’s special education program.
One such recommendation included adding a new assistant superintendent position to oversee special education services.
“This would create a role who would solely be focused on the initiatives set forth to make sure that we have a strong system in Allentown,” Total School Solutions consultant Jamie Wallen said.
Superintendent Birks said the district needs more capacity on its special education team. She said Brian Siket, the executive director of special education, has a lot on his plate.
“We have a director, but it’s an overwhelming job for one person."Lisa Conover, Allentown School Director
School Director Lisa Conover supported the recommendation for the new position, especially given the large size of the school district, which serves about 17,000 students.
“We have a director, but it’s an overwhelming job for one person,” Conover said.
“It would definitely help with the compliance pieces that specifically address [the] special needs department. There’s just so much that you need to do.
"It’s almost as if you’re running a district within a district.”
Additional recommendations
The audit also called for additional audits of the district’s facilities, outside agency contracts, special education disciplinary actions and other matters.
Additionally, the audit called for developing a cultural responsiveness task force, district protocol manuals and a professional development plan for both teacher and principal training.
Total School Solutions also recommended that ASD improve its human resources and educational material procurement processes, as well as restructure transportation and consolidate classrooms.
Other recommendations, as provided by a district news release, include:
- Enhance Instructional Access: Improve Tier 1 instruction and expand the use of Universal Design for Learning to ensure that all students, regardless of ability, can access grade-level content in inclusive, general education classrooms.
- Strengthen Inclusive Practices and Supports: Reduce unnecessary student separation by expanding Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, promoting co-teaching, and ensuring appropriate staffing to meet student needs without over-relying on contracted personnel.
- Align Staffing Models: Adjust staffing structures to meet caseload standards, improve service delivery, and build a more stable, in-house support workforce — particularly for paraprofessionals and related service providers.
- Expand Professional Learning: Increase training for educators and staff on lesson design, inclusive instruction, collaboration, and effective IEP implementation to better serve diverse learners.
- Support Successful Transitions: Improve transition planning and post-secondary supports so that students with exceptionalities graduate prepared for college, career, and independent living.
