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Parent urges Murray School District to clarify special‑education conduct and communication policies
Summary
A Longfield Elementary parent told the Murray School District Board of Education that current policies and communication around staff conduct in special‑education settings lack specificity and transparency, and asked the board to adopt three policy changes.
Robert Portillo, a parent of three with children attending Longfield Elementary School, told the Murray School District Board of Education during public comment that district policies governing staff conduct, reporting and family notification in special‑education settings lack clarity and have left families uninformed after incidents involving their children.
"The district cannot ensure the safety they can even trust that our children and our families deserve," Portillo said, describing repeated incidents that he said were judged by administrators without consistent family involvement. He urged the board to adopt clearer procedures and accountability measures.
Portillo asked the board for three actions: the establishment of explicit policies and guidelines to ensure timely and consistent communication with parents; policy provisions that account for and protect the unique needs of special‑education students; and accountability measures for administrators along with appropriate disciplinary steps where warranted. "I'm requesting 3 actions," he told the board.
Portillo said families learned about several incidents only after the fact and that attempts to obtain full explanations were met with limited information. He described the problem as not one of intent but of a lack of written standards: without specific guidance, administrators may apply subjective judgments that leave both families and staff uncertain about expectations and remedies.
Board members did not debate or vote on policy changes during the public comment period. Superintendent Leehom (identified on the meeting agenda as present) and district staff were on the dais; Portillo asked to be involved in further discussions on the topic.
The board moved on to regular reports and agenda items after public comment; members later discussed committee assignments and other business. Portillo’s request did not receive a formal referral or action during this meeting.
