Parents raise concerns about guidance counselors' support for students with IEPs

During the meeting's second public-participation period, parent Angelica (Angelica Clone) Russell told the board she has raised repeated concerns about special-education supports for her children. "I want my son to feel as equal as a regular ed child feels," Russell said, and described experiences she called both discouraging and damaging, including an account that a counselor advised a child not to pursue Division I college options.

Russell said her child had occupational therapy removed from an Individualized Education Program without her being notified and described other communication failures around IEP documentation. She told trustees she knows other families who left the district for private schools because of difficulties obtaining appropriate services and records.

Trustees and district leaders responded that they take the concerns seriously. Board members thanked Russell for speaking and said the district recently hired a district-level guidance director to help support guidance staff. Superintendent Dr. Roman and other trustees expressed regret at the family's experience and said staff would follow up with the parent and review counselor training and procedures specific to special education and IEP communications.

No formal disciplinary or personnel action was taken at the meeting; the public comment prompted board members to instruct staff to follow up with the family and to review guidance-department practices.