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Parents, advocates warn Owasso board of special-education staff departures and classroom strain at Stone Canyon
Summary
A family speaker told the board four staff resigned from a Stone Canyon special-education program this summer, leaving no certified teachers in that classroom and prompting concerns about continuity of care and program stability for students with significant needs.
A Stone Canyon family member urged the board to address an apparent staffing crisis in the district's special-education program, saying four staff members resigned from a single program over the summer and that the departures have left classrooms without certified teachers.
Regina Bogar, who identified herself as a grandparent and caregiver of a special-needs student, told the board the resignations represented a “mass exodus” that has left her grandson's program in transition and families uncertain about supports for the coming year. "We lost not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 staff members in 1 program at Stone Canyon," she said. "Currently, no certified teachers in the classroom because all of the teachers left."
Bogar said she had met with district staff, including the superintendent, and thanked the district for discussing accommodations such as changing tables. But she pressed the board for answers about why multiple employees resigned and for assurances about continuity of services for students with individualized needs.
Why it matters: Families of students with significant disabilities often rely on consistent staffing and specialized training. Bogar said the departures were voluntary resignations rather than retirements, which she described as a "red flag" for families who rely on established staff relationships.
Discussion and response: Bogar said she had spoken with departing staff and was told their concerns had not been sufficiently addressed. She urged the board to investigate what led to the resignations, to improve supports to retain staff and to provide clarity to families about classroom staffing prior to the start of school.
What the board did: Bogar's comments were heard during the public-comment portion of the meeting. District leaders present for the meeting included the superintendent and other administrators; no formal board action or vote responding to these observations occurred during the session.
What families asked for: Timely communication about staff replacements, clarity about program continuity for the school year, and review of working conditions and supports that might affect staff retention in special-education programs.
