Gravette School District’s special education director told the school board Wednesday that the district finished the year with 324 students on Individualized Education Programs and 108 students with 504 plans — 432 students total receiving special‑education services.

“While the state looked at our December 1 count as being lower than the previous year, our end of year count is far higher,” Mr. Matlock said, reporting 62 referrals this year and 50 students tested. He credited staff with meeting timelines for referrals and paperwork.

The district’s staffing plan for 2025‑26 includes 17 full‑time special education teachers, 17 instructional aides, three speech‑language pathologists, two occupational therapists, one physical therapist and a school psychologist; the board was told a part‑time SLPA is under consideration pending approvals.

Matlock described a district initiative to expand Universal Design for Learning training: 30 teachers will take summer UDL training, with plans to extend training districtwide in subsequent years. Matlock said UDL and other interventions are part of the plan to address disproportionate identification findings in the district’s assurances.

The board approved the district’s ESSA/IDEA assurances and GEPA statement required for federal funding. Staff explained the state review flagged a higher percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students identified with specific learning disabilities relative to state thresholds; because the district’s Native population is small, one or two students can shift the percentage. Administrators said re‑examining disability classifications will not reduce services but could improve accuracy.

Board members asked for future reporting on IEP dismissals; Matlock said the district tracks dismissals and would provide the number to the board on request.

No formal changes to student services were adopted at the meeting; the board approved the federal assurances so the district can apply for federal funds.