Southington BoE OKs New Special Ed Van

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A local special education program aiding high school graduate-aged clients received a boost from the school board in the form of a new school van.

The Southington Board of Education Aug. 11 unanimously approved the purchase of a new, 10-passenger Ford T-350 van for the town's STELLAR program.

This program is a fifth-year high school program for special education students with various developmental disabilities.

It's designed to provide such students with "specialized instruction and hands-on-experiences in the many skill areas needed in order to become independent within their employment and independent living activities," according to the program description on the school system website.

The van will cost $58,862 to transport students to an from the STELLAR site at Abby South, Suite 1F on North Main Street.

According to meeting minutes, school board member Zaya Oshana reported the state Department of Education awarded a new ARP IDEA Special Education grant totaling $285,457 to Southington.

The approved grant application includes the purchase of the van.

School board member David Derynoski pointed out a more expensive, used van was available for $67,827, but the newer, less-expensive option approved by the board is also months from delivery.

For the minutes of the Southington Board Education Meeting Aug. 11, click on this link.

For more information on the Southington School System's STELLAR program, click on this link.