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Parents tell Kent School District board their children were denied access to special‑education services
Summary
Two parents told the board that their daughters have been kept out of school since Feb. 20 and alleged the district has not provided interim educational services; they asked the board to investigate leadership decisions and ensure students receive a free and appropriate public education.
Two parents spoke during public comment to accuse district leaders of denying special‑education students interim access to services and of failing to provide curriculum while students awaited placement.
"These are children; their education is not just a line item, it's a lifeline," said Caitlin Tin, who identified herself as an advocate for a fourth‑grade student whom she said has been out of her nonpublic agency placement since Feb. 20. Tin said district staff denied requests for interim programming and required meetings repeatedly without defined purpose, and that communication had been blocked despite a valid release of information.
Jennifer Liggett, who said she is the parent of a fourth‑grade Kent School District student, said her daughter has been excluded from school since mid‑day on Feb. 20. Liggett said district staff quoted policies without providing sources, delayed responses despite an alleged 48‑hour response expectation, and blocked interim supports that Liggett said were ready to start. She said the situation has caused academic and social regression in her child and called the denial of services a systemic failure.
Both speakers asked the board to review leadership decisions, demand transparency and restore student access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). Liggett noted districtwide figures she described as context, saying Kent School District serves more than 25,000 students and that about 13 percent receive inclusive education services.
Board procedure interrupted one commenter to remind speakers not to provide personally identifiable information. Board members did not respond directly from the dais during the public comment period; superintendent Israel Vela’s report and later board business followed the public comments.
Ending: The speakers urged the board to take action; the board did not announce any immediate personnel or policy steps on the record at the meeting. The parents requested review and transparency from district leadership to restore access to educational services.
