Family and attorney urge district to address special education concerns; meeting set with district staff

Family members and the attorney for a Palm Springs Unified student with disabilities asked the board on Jan. 28 to pay attention to the student's educational placement and services and said they are pursuing a meeting with district staff.

Jennifer Kropke, identified herself as the attorney for Uriah Cohen Stuckey and told the board she and her client's family have an in-person meeting scheduled for Feb. 6 with the district's special education director and district counsel to address outstanding concerns about the appropriateness of Uriah's education. "We look forward to working with you to resolve these issues," Kropke said.

Multiple family members spoke in support of Uriah and asked the board to ensure he receives appropriate services. Charlene Nelson said she is "here to support Uriah" and asked the board to give him attention. Gloria Green, who said she is Uriah's grandmother, said educators have low expectations for him and that he is "capable of more."

Nut graf: The public comments were part of the meeting's public comment period; the board did not take a formal action related to the student during the Jan. 28 meeting. Kropke described a scheduled Feb. 6 meeting with district special education leadership and counsel and framed that as the next step.

Board President Sergio Veriqueta and the superintendent acknowledged the remarks and the district confirmed staff will participate in the scheduled Feb. 6 meeting.

Ending: The board did not act on the matter in open session; Kropke and the family said they will pursue a meeting with the district's special education director and counsel on Feb. 6.