Wicomico County Public Schools | EFMP FY2024 Several of theseprogramsmandatestrict adherence toestablished laws andguidelines. For example, special education laws require that students be educated in the least restrictive environment (reference COMAR 13A.05 Special Instructional Programs). Due to some of the acute needs in this student population and in order to comply with the requirements of LRE, this program is expected to grow over the next several years. The unrestricted budget for this program is proposed at approximately $22 million, representing 8.79% of the entire WCPS proposed General Fund budget for FY 2024. In addition to the programs noted above there are often support personnel who need an office or pull-out space depending on where they are based and how often they provide services in the school. The following is a general list of instructional support programs that are currently a part of WCPS: • C.A.R.E.S. / Conflict Resolution • Community Partnership Services • Student Advisors • Home School Liaisons • Social Workers • Parenting Programs • Professional Development Coaches • New Teacher Coaches • Student and Family Health Programs • Various Grants and Programs • Speech Language Pathologist • OT/PT DIVERSITY WCPS has a diverse student population as shown in Figure 1 and the pie graphs on the next page. With major employers, such as TidalHealth (formerly Peninsula Regional Medical Center), Salisbury University, Perdue Farms and various electronic manufacturing businesses who are often either conducting business or recruiting experienced personnel not only nationally, but internationally; we anticipate that our student population will continue to diversify. We continue to see an increase in the number of students designated as ELL over the course of the past few years. This is important to note, as we continue to expand our technology capabilities to assist in creating a more global learning environment. Currently, 67.83% of our student population is eligible for the Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) program in the 2022-2023 school year (as shown on the next page as well as broken down by individual school in Figure 2). We also have a 11% special education population; this includes any type of student who receives special education services. In addition, 31.2% of our students have some type of chronic health condition, such as ADHD, diabetes, asthma, etc. 52
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