Parents and advocates urge Highlands County schools to fix special-education assessments and services

Several parents and disability advocates urged the Highlands County School Board on Feb. 11 to act after describing what they called years of inconsistent special-education evaluations and services.

Joey Poyer, an ESE advocate who said he has worked statewide, told the board a state complaint (referenced in the meeting as B2520205-126) filed Dec. 17, 2024 alleges the district violated federal and state rules for students with disabilities, including provisions in "Title 34, Part B (IDEA)," and cited problems with prior written notice, due‑process procedures and timeliness. "The parent does deserve a right to a fair hearing," Poyer said. He asked the board to hold a workshop on Exceptional Student Education after the district hires a new director.

The issue of disputed evaluations recurred in multiple public comments. Victoria Leal, who said she is advocating for her 11‑year‑old son, told the board the district funded a neuropsychological evaluation that returned an IQ of 98…