Parent asks board to let son walk in graduation after suspension tied to disability-related behavior

A parent asked the District 300 Board on May 13 to allow her son to participate in his home-school graduation after he was suspended from the interim placement school for behavior she said was a manifestation of his disability.

Jessica Allen addressed the board during public participation and said her son, who she said was transferred from Westfield to Allendale for supports, engaged in behavior on May 8 that she characterized as a manifestation of his disability. Allen said the district suspended her son pending a May 19 meeting and she asked the board to permit him to “walk in graduation” at his home school on May 22.

She said the family’s understanding at the time of transfer was that the student’s record would reflect graduation from Westfield and that he would be able to attend graduation with his home school. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event… to the families and our children facing life while managing autism, it is a major milestone,” Allen said, asking the board to intervene so her son would not be denied participation.

Board members clarified the comment related to middle-school recognition during subsequent remarks and indicated the superintendent or appropriate administrators may follow up. The board’s public participation rules, read earlier in the meeting, state the board will consider comments but will not engage in dialogue during the public forum and that questions may be assigned to the superintendent for response.

No formal board action occurred during the meeting on the parent’s request; the board’s public guidance indicated the superintendent or administration may reach out to the speaker to provide additional information.

Speakers: Jessica Allen (parent); Duro Allen (accompanying family member, introduced during comment period).

Nut Graf: The parent asked the board to allow her son to participate in his home-school graduation on May 22 despite a suspension tied to disability-related behavior; the board did not take immediate action and indicated administration may follow up after the meeting.

Discussion/Decision distinction: The presentation was public comment; the board did not deliberate or vote on the request in open session and may refer the matter to administration for follow-up.

Authorities referenced: The parent referenced the pending May 19 meeting and the family’s understanding of the transfer; no statutory citations were made in the public comment. The board’s public participation procedures and the Open Meetings Act were referenced earlier in the meeting as governing comment rules.

Clarifying details: Suspension date referenced as May 8, 2025; pending meeting scheduled May 19, 2025; graduation ceremony date mentioned as May 22, 2025; the student’s original school named as Westfield and current interim placement as Allendale (per parent’s statement). The parent asked that the son not be punished for behavior she described as a manifestation of disability.

Proper names: Westfield Community School; Allendale (placement school); Community Unit School District 300.

Community relevance: Implicates special education procedures, disciplinary and manifestation determination processes, and graduation participation for students with disabilities.

Searchable tags: special-education, student-discipline, graduation, Allendale, Westfield.

Provenance: [{"block_id":"block_3243","evidence_excerpt":"My name is Jessica Allen... My son was displaying behaviors as a manifestation of his disability... I am here today to ask that my son not be punished for behaviors that were a manifestation of his disability and be allowed to walk in graduation ceremony that is being held on May 22.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_3362","evidence_excerpt":"My ask today is that my son be able to walk in his graduation and be able experience his momentous achievements... I would greatly appreciate any help from the board.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}].