Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters urge more middle-school sports, ask board to reconsider makeup days and caution against excluding special-education students
Summary
Four written public comments delivered to the board urged restoring middle-school athletics, called for an outcomes-based K-12 improvement plan, asked the district to revisit strike makeup days and raised concerns about excluding students with special education needs on Jan. 6.
The board's public-comment summary included four written submissions received by noon, each raising distinct concerns.
The first commenter urged the district to restore middle-school basketball and other athletics, saying teams foster teamwork and student connection; the commenter reported a petition of students and teachers supporting middle-school teams. The board said it is trying to bring activities back and will examine costs and options.
A second commenter asked the district to develop an outcome-based K'1 improvement plan that sets goals, strategies, timelines and public progress reporting for reading and math achievement. The comment requested the district place a response on a future agenda.
The third commenter urged the board and administration to revisit strike makeup days, suggesting parents might prefer teachers retain weekly professional development and grading time on Wednesdays rather than converting those days to student contact days. The commenter suggested a parent survey and exploring state exemptions or waivers for total hours.
A fourth commenter expressed concern about the exclusion of students receiving special-education services on Jan. 6 and cautioned the board to "use caution when excluding a protected class." That commenter requested a public citation of the exact section of the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) that permits holding students out of school for up to 10 days for lack of trained staff. The comment urged the district to explore all makeup-date options, including waivers, and to consider the obligation to serve vulnerable students.
District leaders responding during the meeting said they are "willing to look" at options but emphasized the board and superintendent believed adding makeup days supported student learning after missed days; the board noted roughly 1,265 special-education students in the district and said ODE has been in contact about plans.
