Trustee Enrique Peraza asked the San Ysidro School District board on July 10 to slow a proposed policy change that would replace the term “disability” with “exceptional needs” in the district’s individualized education program policy, saying the swap could create legal and practical confusion without a formal legal review.

“I truly appreciate the intent to reduce the stigma and promote dignity for students. However, I believe this proposed change needs to be more carefully considered,” Peraza said during discussion of agenda item 12.4, which included revisions to the 6000 series policies and a specific exception to Board Policy 6159 (Individualized Education Program).

Peraza pointed to federal law—“the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA”—and noted that federal protections and documentation use the term “disability.” He said recent state action to change terminology (citing Assembly Bill 2173’s modification of a term in 2024) kept the word “disability” in federal contexts and that the district should not proceed without staff and legal analysis. “If we begin using different language locally, we risk creating a disconnect between our policies and the federal framework that guarantees protection and services for students,” he said.

Superintendent Gina Potter acknowledged the concern and told the board staff could prepare a legal analysis of federal and state terminology and report back whether federal law or U.S. Department of Education guidance indicates a move away from the word “disability.” Potter said she would return the analysis regardless of the board’s immediate vote. The board held discussion on whether to approve the revisions with the listed exception and the transcript indicates a roll call recorded after discussion.

The transcript records a subsequent roll-call-style result reported immediately before agenda item 12.5: "3, yes, 1 no, and 1 is." The meeting record does not attribute each vote to named trustees in the public report shown in the transcript.

Trustees discussed the need to proactively inform families if the board adopts any language change affecting students with IEPs. Peraza asked that any final change be clearly communicated to families and that staff confirm alignment with federal protections and state regulations before the district adopts new terminology.

At the meeting the board also moved several items related to revised board policies across series 4000–6000; the transcript shows motions and votes across items 12.2–12.6, with separate motions for specific policy series and administrative regulations. Board members asked staff about timing, communication and legal alignment when policy language affects federally protected services for students.