Wicomico County Public Schools | EFMP FY2025 Several of these programs mandate strict adherence to established laws and guidelines. 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 $22.78 million, representing 8.78% of the entire WCPS proposed General Fund budget for FY 2025. 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 which is reflective of the diversity of the County in which it serves as shown in Figure 1 and the graphs below. With major employers, such as TidalHealth (formerly Peninsula Regional Medical Center), Salisbury University, Perdue Farms, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Wor-Wic Community College and various 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. The rate of citizenship is decreasing while the foreign-born population is increasing across the County with indication of a high level of diversity within the City of Salisbury. Figure 1 * US Census Bureau V2023 36
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