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Parents, teachers and advocates tell Osceola board hub consolidation has created ‘crisis’; superintendent vows to act
Summary
Multiple parents, teachers and special‑education advocates told the Osceola County School Board that recent consolidation of ESE services into hub models has led to staffing shortages, missed services, safety incidents and teacher injuries; Superintendent said district will not reverse course but pledged follow‑up.
Multiple parents, teachers and advocates told the Osceola County School Board on Sept. 9 that the district’s recent consolidation of exceptional student education (ESE) services into hub sites has produced staffing shortfalls, missed therapy services and safety problems in classrooms.
Speakers described a pattern of unfilled positions, long bus rides, missing physical‑therapy sessions, and an erosion of supports teachers rely on. “You’ve created a crisis situation,” Emily Grintz, instructional vice president for the Osceola County Education Association, told the board, urging immediate data collection and new training plans. Parent speakers said some students had no assigned teacher after staffing changes, that individualized education program (IEP) services were not being delivered, and that parents face longer commutes and safety concerns tied to transport.
Why it matters: ESE programs and IEP compliance are required by federal law and are central to the…
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