St. Louis, MO: Teachers not given enough resources to meet SPED needs

Mar 6, 2025, KSDK TV: Parents say Special School District isn’t meeting student needs, while district defends staffing changes

One parent believes the district's move to shift teachers to new schools is just reshuffling a broken system rather than fixing it.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — For some parents, trusting St. Louis County’s Special School District is no longer an option. 

One parent who wanted to remain anonymous—going by Kathy in this article— has two children, both on the autism spectrum. They rely on the district’s specialized services through their elementary school, services, she said, they’re simply not getting. 

“I hear about all these teachers quitting and I hear about teacher burnout ... They want to be able to teach, but the problem is either they're not given the resources or they're given poor working conditions," she said. 

The Special School District recently announced it’s shifting 36 teachers to new schools, an attempt to fill staffing gaps. Kathy believes this move just reshuffles a broken system rather than fixing it.

“It feels like robbing Peter to pay Paul in some aspects where, you know, taking staff from districts that are still not as understaffed, but you know, I don't think a single special educator would tell you, 'Oh we have all the staff we need we have all the support we need,'" she said. 

Superintendent Michael Maclin said earlier this week that the district is working to better serve students.

“We are aligning our student need with our staffing, which is most important at the end of the day," he said. 

Critics said that’s not the real issue. Parents and teachers we spoke with worry that staff reassignments will only make things worse, pushing more teachers to quit, increasing caseloads and adding to the burnout that is already a problem. Attorney Diane Dragan said the district isn't providing enough resources or support for teachers, and students are paying the price.

“My focus is on the children who aren’t getting the services they’re legally entitled to, kids who don’t have qualified special education teachers, kids who are being left behind," Dragan said.

Kathy agreed. 

Asked if she feels her children aren't getting the support they need, Kathy said, “I mean, yeah, definitely ... Personally, I feel like things have gotten worse."

She decided to take matters into her own hands, looking for a new school outside her current district. 

“Another thing that would help is just being willing to have a more one-on-one kind of support," she said.

SSD said it's actively hiring, with 50 open teaching positions for next year. A spokesperson said staff reassignments are necessary to meet student needs and they’re working to make sure there’s a certified teacher in each classroom.  Kathy said that change isn't happening fast enough. 

The Special School District’s spokesperson Jennifer Henry provided the following statement:

 “SSD is committed to ensuring every student receives the specialized support they need to thrive. As a district serving nearly 23,000 students across St. Louis County, we must continually adjust staffing to align with student needs and provide high-quality education for all. Next school year, 36 of our approximately 2,200 teachers will be reallocated to areas where support is most needed. The reallocation process is outlined in the teachers’ joint resolution/union agreement and is driven by student enrollment, program needs, staffing levels, and licensure requirements. We understand transitions can be challenging, but at this time, no resignations have been received from reallocated teachers at this time. We respect each educator’s decision and remain committed to supporting them in their new roles. SSD values and supports our teachers while remaining focused on our mission—ensuring all students receive the services they need to succeed. For our families, we want to reassure them that our top priority remains providing high-quality instruction and support for students.

Teacher reallocations are based on student needs and ensure that every child has access to a certified educator and the specialized services they require. We are working closely with our partner districts to make this a smooth transition and minimize any disruptions. If families have specific concerns, we encourage them to reach out to their principal or district director so we can provide support and address their questions. SSD is actively recruiting passionate educators to join our team. We currently have approximately 50 teaching positions open for next school year and are looking for dedicated teachers who want to make a meaningful impact on students with disabilities. SSD offers a collaborative work environment, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.”

If families have concerns about staffing reallocations or their student's services, the district encouraged them to contact their principal or district director, so SSD can provide support and address their questions. A spokesperson said current staffing imbalances and financial challenges are a result of decisions made under previous leadership.