Parent alleges special-education student barred from graduation activities, says district culture must change

Stephanie L. Jones, a parent of a Birmingham Public Schools student in special education, told the board during public comment that her son was not allowed to participate in multiple school activities because staff said there was no support available.

“At fifth grade graduation, every child walked in but mine,” Jones said. “Watching every parent stand up and cheer for their child when mine wasn't even allowed in the room — they said it was because a kid diagnosed with severe autism and processing sensory disorder was a little riled up that day.”

Jones said school staff told her the son could not attend a fifth-grade trip and that his class is “nowhere to be found” in the yearbook. She described the experience as more than isolated mistakes and called it “a culture.” Jones said she would continue to attend meetings and press the board to change practices: “I will be here every month of every year until it's fixed.”

Her remarks were given during the public comment period; the board did not announce any immediate investigatory or corrective action during the meeting. The district did not respond to the specific allegations on the record that evening.

Jones framed her comments as a plea for inclusive treatment and argued that Birmingham Public Schools, as a wealthy district, should be “the gold standard” in serving students with disabilities.

The board's public comment policy — read aloud before comments — notes the board may not discuss nor debate non-agenda personnel matters during the meeting, and the record shows no policy vote or staff report addressing Jones’s claims that night.