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Parents press Munster district over removal from preschool program and staffing in special‑needs classrooms
Summary
Three public commenters urged the School Town of Munster board to address removal of a child from the Mini Mustangs preschool program, turnover in the Exceptional Achievers classroom and perceived lack of district responsiveness; the board president said staff would follow up.
Several parents and residents used the public‑comment period to urge the School Town of Munster board to review discipline and support practices for students in specialized programs.
Luis Quinones, who identified himself as a parent, said his son was removed from the Mini Mustangs program and asked why the district chose removal instead of supports required by the Mini Mustangs handbook. “Where was the support before removal? Where were the interventions? Where was the collaboration?” Quinones asked, and said he has requested FERPA and FOIL records — including video — and is at an impasse obtaining the materials.
A second parent, who identified herself as Ms. Keith and said her child is nonverbal and enrolled in the Exceptional Achievers program, described “significant turnover” in the classroom this year. She told the board the program had “lost 7 leaders in their classroom this year,” said mandatory parent notifications about a bullying inquiry did not occur, and asked the board to investigate how to stabilize staffing and protect students’ learning and safety.
A third commenter urged trustees to “work together to help our children” and criticized board members who appeared to be looking down at devices during comments. The speaker (identified in the transcript as a resident) asked for attention to the most vulnerable students and for district action.
Board President Doctor Heller responded during later business and apologized for any perceived disrespect, saying he was taking notes to follow up: “I apologize for any disrespect that was perceived. We’re just over halfway point in the legislative session… I was trying to take notes so that I can best respond and meet with staff afterwards to figure out what some of these issues are.” The board did not take immediate action on the concerns during the meeting; parents asked for meetings with administration and records requests to be expedited.
Why it matters: the comments raise questions about adherence to district handbooks and notification procedures, staff stability in small, specialized classrooms, and families’ access to records referenced in discipline and support decisions.
