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Atascadero CAC reports rising IEP counts; parents testify about alleged staff misconduct and IEP fidelity problems
Summary
Atascadero County-wide Community Advisory Committee members reported rising IEP counts and described outreach and parent training initiatives; separate public commenters described alleged misconduct by a support staff member and broader concerns about special education staffing and IEP implementation fidelity.
Representatives of the county Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and multiple parents spoke at Tuesday’s Atascadero Unified School District board meeting about rising individualized education program (IEP) counts, parent outreach and ongoing concerns about special education staffing and program fidelity.
Lindsay Oliveira, speaking with fellow CAC representative Elise Holder, told the board that Atascadero has about 713 students with an IEP from kindergarten through age 22, “which is approximately 15.6 of our student population,” and that the district has seen about a 5% increase in IEPs over the last five years. Oliveira advised the board that those figures change frequently and recommended contacting district staff for the most current numbers.
CAC leaders reviewed activities this year, including a parent institute held Sept. 21, 2024 that drew more than 100 parents, monthly parent learning centers and outreach such as booths at community events. Oliveira and Holder also listed state and local bills the SELPA supported, and described plans for a second annual parent institute and ongoing parent surveys.
During the public comment period, parent Fatima Sala described repeated failures in IEP and behavioral intervention plan (BIP) implementation, inadequate special education staffing and an HR investigation that initially found “no misconduct” but was reopened after she spoke with Superintendent Tom Butler. Sala said witness testimony in the later investigation substantiated “routine yelling,” “frequent grabbing and pulling,” threats of violence and privacy violations by a 1:1 support staff member, and she urged the district to strengthen hiring, training and HR investigatory procedures.
“Eliding legal requirements during an investigation is not an option. It's a requirement,” Sala said, stressing that adherence to legal and procedural rules is mandatory.
Other parents and a returning speaker who identified herself as a teacher described high turnover of special education staff, multiple changes in therapists and behavioral staff for a single student, missing minutes of specialized academic instruction, and IEP goals pursued without written consent. One parent said their child had eight IEP meetings this school year and several facilitated IEPs with SELPA.
Board and district staff responded by acknowledging the concerns. Superintendent Butler told the public he had been made aware of the case and communicated that the investigation was reopened after discussion with parents; he emphasized the district’s obligation to protect students. Trustees and staff discussed advocacy at the state level for increased special education funding and noted the district currently covers a growing share of special education costs from the general fund.
No board action was taken at the meeting to change HR policy or special education procedures; trustees asked staff to report back with data and options. Parents and CAC representatives asked the board to prioritize staff recruitment, training and funding to reduce turnover and improve IEP fidelity.
