The West Middlesex Area School District is going to have to hire another special education teacher in the middle of the year because of a large influx of special education students this year.

The district employs six special education teachers for the elementary and high schools. Jane Martin, director of curriculum and instruction, told directors Monday each of the six teachers is nearing or at more than the number of students they can have according to state standards.

Mrs. Martin told directors they won't be able to put off hiring another special education teacher until next year.

Thirty-six new special education students moved into the district this school year and only eight moved out, Mrs. Martin said.

Special education students can range anywhere from a student who needs remedial reading or math help to a student who is mentally retarded or has a physical disability.

There are 17 students who are classified as mentally retarded in the district. "Four to five mental retardation students in a district of this size would be a lot," Mrs. Martin said.

There are also a total of 49 wraparounds in the district, Mrs. Martin said, calling it "unbelievable." She said some classrooms have as many adults as students in them.

During the past three years the district averaged 24 wraparounds per year, Mrs. Martin said.

Wraparounds, or therapeutic staff support workers, work with children who have behavioral problems to keep them on task during the school day. Wraparounds are employed by private agencies.

Mrs. Martin said the number of special education students should be a "heads up" to school officials that the demographics of the district may be changing.

Board President Thomas Hubert suggested the board look for a teacher who is certified in special education and elementary education. In the future if the number of special education students decreases, the new teacher could be put to use in another classroom, Hubert said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com