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Parents and advocates press board to restore cheer‑team access for students with disabilities
Summary
Multiple parents, students and civil‑rights advocates told the San Marcos Unified board that students with disabilities were excluded from cheer teams; they cited Section 504 and state law and said complaints have been filed with federal agencies. Superintendent said he will follow up.
Dozens of parents, students and advocates told the San Marcos Unified School District Board on Sept. 11 that students with disabilities had been excluded from cheer teams and other extracurriculars and urged corrective action.
“Gracie tried out for the cheerleading team, she showed up to every practice and learned the routines,” parent Deborah Caswell said during the public‑comment period. “But behind closed doors, it had already been decided that she wasn't truly being considered. This is not inclusion.”
Darlene Mesa told the board she has filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, the Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Justice’s ADA division, alleging exclusion and discriminatory treatment at the school level. “She was excluded from practices, from team bonding events ... she was labeled as an honorary member in her senior year despite having earned a place as a full member,” Mesa said.
Speakers described a pattern of being invited to events and then sidelined, denial of camp participation, and a lack of communication from coaches and administrators. Several parents said earlier promises that their children would be included in competitive or sideline cheer had been reversed without clear explanation.
Education and civil‑rights advocates also addressed the board. Dr. Makayla Thomas, identified as director of equity and inclusion initiatives for a statewide nonprofit and a former educator, said federal law requires meaningful access: “Section 504 ensures that students with disabilities cannot be excluded from school programs, including athletics simply because of their disability,” she said, and she cited Education Code section 220’s antidiscrimination provision.
Superintendent Andy Johnson acknowledged the comments and said he is personally aware of concerns, has had multiple discussions with special‑education staff and school administrators, and will follow up with families and staff to seek resolution. “I will continue to follow up, and we'll make sure that we get resolutions,” he said.
No formal board action was taken during the public comment period. Board members and district staff told speakers they would provide follow‑up contact information and would investigate specific allegations. The district’s public comment procedures prohibit board deliberation or action on non‑agendized matters during that portion of the meeting, though staff may refer items for future study or add items to a future agenda.
Why it matters: Parents and advocates cite both legal protections and the educational benefits of extracurricular participation, framing the issue as both a civil‑rights matter and a student‑wellbeing concern. The families’ complaints have triggered internal follow‑up and, per testimony, external complaints to federal agencies.
Next steps: District staff said they will follow up with families and the school’s administration; families said they have filed federal complaints.
