Public commenters press board for ESE services; board approves personnel, contracts and routine items

Parents and residents pressed the Highlands County School Board on Jan. 7, 2025, for faster special-education placements and support services for children with disabilities, while the board completed a slate of routine approvals including personnel actions and a roof contract for Lake Placid High School.

Danielle Braggs told the board her son, Dason Jordan, received a new IQ assessment this month showing a score of 65 after a test performed in Lakeland; she said the district previously recorded his IQ as 88 and asked when he would receive placement in a self-contained intellectual classroom. “It's a 65. All I'm asking is now how long is it gonna take before he gets where he needs to go,” Braggs said.

Tina Jordan, whose daughter was described as having Williams syndrome, told the board families need a local specialized program and said she has gathered a petition with “over 2,300 people” asking for local classes or supports.…