exceptional children

The Alamance-Burlington School System is exploring potential partnerships with local colleges to bring speech-language pathology programs to the county.

Commissioners approved an extra $1.3 million for the school district this year to support the exceptional children department. District officials plan to use it to add positions, but they're struggling to fill dozens of vacancies as it is.

At a meeting this week, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board members voiced concerns about how the district educates exceptional children, or students with special needs.

Despite heavy pushback, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education voted to approve a plan to relocate students from The Special Children's School to Ward Elementary in 2027.

Roughly 30 parents and teachers of children with significant developmental needs urged the board not to relocate students, citing concerns about safety, continuity and belonging.

The district currently leases the spaces for The Special Children’s School and The Children’s Center. But officials are considering relocating students from the first site to a district-owned building to save money.

Commissioner Tonya McDaniel said the only way she might consider giving the district extra money, was if the school board promised to use it for the EC department.

Officials are considering relocating the roughly 150 students attending The Special Children’s School and The Children's Center into district-owned schools with available space.

Guilford and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school systems have listed increased exceptional children funding and positions as legislative priorities.

The EC department was hit hard with cuts amid the district’s financial crisis.