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Public commenter raises special-education allegations and asks board to release state assurances
Summary
A resident, speaking for an advocacy client, told the Londonderry School Board that multiple special-education complaints and federal investigations are pending and urged the district to release assurances to the state; the board chair said he would follow up in writing.
A resident who identified herself as Christine Perez spoke during Tuesday’s public-comment period on behalf of Maura Ryan, raising multiple allegations about the district’s special-education services and requesting the board release assurances the district submits to the state.
Perez told the board that House Bill 231 has passed and “goes into effect on July 13, 2025,” and that the district must put any resulting policy changes into effect. She said Ryan asked the board to note the following items: a district law-firm memo advising how to avoid giving services to some special-education students; a founded complaint involving a class of students allegedly not getting services; payments in 2022–23 for services the student never received; a 2024 whistleblower report of special-education violations; and “four open investigations” by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
Perez said assurances from the district to the state related to special education are due at the end of the month and that the district needs to release those assurances and allow public comment. She asked the board to review the assurances carefully; she also said Ryan is waiting for updates on previously raised matters.
Board Chair Bob Slater responded that the district will provide written answers and that he would reach out to the resident the next day. The board did not take formal action on the statements during the meeting.
Why it matters: Allegations involving special-education compliance and federal investigations, if substantiated, could affect the district’s funding, legal obligations and families currently receiving services. The speaker’s statements were framed as requests and claims; the board’s public reply was to supply written follow-up.
Authorities and procedure cited: Earlier in the meeting a board member referenced “91 a” (the state right-to-know/executive-session statutes) when explaining how complaints that name employees are handled and how a speaker can request a nonpublic session. The speaker cited House Bill 231 as a law that will take effect July 13, 2025.
Next steps: Chair Slater said he would contact the resident and provide written answers; the board did not vote or issue a public release at the meeting.
