Parent letter read at board meeting raises safety and support concerns in Del Mar Hills SLIP kindergarten

A letter from a parent raising concerns about special education supports and student safety in a Del Mar Hills Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP) kindergarten class was read aloud during the board's reports section.

The letter, authored by Laura Anhelova and read at the meeting by a board member on her behalf, described incidents involving a classmate diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficits. The letter said the student's family had sought supports and an evaluation earlier in the year but had not received an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan; it said an evaluation request was denied and later resulted in litigation. The parent recounted a recent classroom incident in which property was broken and adults were struck, and said the student was later suspended for two days. The letter said school staff planned additional measures including daily backpack checks and an action plan that adds an additional adult in the classroom while the reassessment is completed.

The letter asked that the assessment be expedited and that the district consider how denying services to a student in need can affect the entire class and school community. A board member said the submitted letter and correspondence would be included in the meeting minutes at the parent's request and that the board would add an update on special education services as a preliminary item for the April meeting.

Ending: The board did not take an immediate action during the meeting beyond accepting the correspondence for the record and requesting a future update on district special education services and the IEP/504 process.