Parent praises district for neuroaffirming professional development; urges continued offerings

A parent and advocate addressed the board during non‑agenda public comment to praise a recent neuroaffirming professional development event and to urge more offerings of that kind.

The commenter — who identified herself as a parent and district advocate — asked that the district continue to bring presenters with lived experience, citing Jordan Levon, who presented on verbal apraxia and dyspraxia. "Awareness helps better support our students and positively impacts the overall learning environment and school culture," the speaker said.

Nut graf: The public comment asked the district to expand professional development on neurodivergent conditions, including presentations led by people who live with those conditions, as a way to improve classroom accommodations and outcomes for neurodivergent students.

The speaker described dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder) and said many children in general education classrooms may have traits even without formal diagnoses. She said district staff had permission to attend the local training and thanked Tina (identified in the meeting as Tina Lane) and Matt Burdick for facilitating the presentation.

Board members thanked the speaker and noted existing district efforts such as a transition summit and the new pre‑K bridging pilot. One board member referenced a local organization called Scholastico that provides neurodivergent services and suggested the district consider partnerships.

This item occurred during public comment; it was praise and a request for additional training rather than a board action. No formal motions or votes resulted from the comment.