Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents tell county board Springs Charter students not receiving IEP services; board asks staff to investigate
Summary
Multiple parents and students told the San Bernardino County Board of Education that Springs Charter failed to provide special-education services, mismanaged IEPs and served spoiled food; the board asked county staff to look into the allegations.
Several parents and students urged the San Bernardino County Board of Education on Feb. 10 to investigate what they say are repeated failures by Springs Charter to deliver services required by students' individualized education programs (IEPs).
The speakers — parents Bridal Baum and Anna Salvatierra and students Nathaniel Baum and Alexander Salvatierra — described missed aide assignments, uncompleted IEPs and, in one instance, what a parent said was moldy food provided at school. “I do not think Springs Charter is capable of following the law,” Bridal Baum told the board during the public comment period. “My son has not received adequate services for his IEP.”
The complaints were detailed. Nathaniel Baum told the board that an aide who had promised to help him with an essay did not do so, and Alexander Salvatierra said aides were sometimes absent or arrived at the wrong classroom. Anna Salvatierra described multiple versions of IEPs, missing assessments, and lack of response from school administrators: “They’re continuing to violate my son’s rights,” she told board members, and asked the county to audit the charter.
Board President Dottie Rogers asked county counsel whether the board could act on comments that were not on the agenda. County counsel advised that the board could not take immediate action but could direct staff to investigate. President Rogers then asked Superintendent Ted Alejandre to have staff look into the allegations, specifically naming concerns about “unsafe facilities.” Alejandre acknowledged the request and indicated staff would follow up.
Other parents at the meeting echoed frustration with responsiveness from county and charter staff. Ron Paloni, a parent of a student who attends a county program but is enrolled at Los Osos High School, said repeated promises to return phone calls and emails had not been fulfilled and said parents are frequently driven to file formal complaints or due-process actions to secure services.
Why it matters: County boards of education oversee county programs and, in some cases, authorize countywide-charter schools. Allegations that a charter is not implementing IEPs, failing to complete assessments, or providing unsafe conditions are within the board’s purview to investigate and to refer to other agencies if required.
What comes next: The board did not take a vote on the matter at the meeting. President Rogers asked staff to investigate the complaints and report back. The board’s counsel noted the board’s authority is limited for off-agenda public comment but that staff follow-up is appropriate.
Ending: Parents who spoke requested specific remedies, including audits and a meeting with county staff. The board requested staff investigate and report findings at a future meeting.
