Parent and supporter tell Elyria City Schools board a father was barred from school access; board pledges follow-up

Ramon Gilbert, a parent of students at Eastern Heights Elementary, told the Elyria City Schools Board of Education on April 16 that he and his family have struggled to get a school response after he was temporarily barred from campus and after his sons’ individualized education program (IEP) needs were not being met.

Gilbert described repeated attempts to reach district staff and the superintendent without resolution, saying the situation has “become troublesome and it’s interfering with everyday life” and that the restrictions have affected his ability to help his children at school. Jonathan Higginbotham, who said he lives in Amherst and was at the meeting to support Gilbert, introduced Gilbert and said he had been trying to assist the family.

The parent said staff had changed one child’s classroom recently and that the new placement “is going okay for now,” but he raised concerns about prior delays and what he described as unreported incidents that the family learned about only at a later meeting. He also said both sons have IEPs and that one child is “almost 10 and has trouble” with reading and writing, which he said made the need for prompt intervention urgent.

Superintendent Anne Schloss responded during the meeting when asked whether staff would follow up. Schloss said she would “absolutely” circle back with the family and update them. Board President Elaine Seguin confirmed the board had the family’s contact information.

Why this matters: Gilbert said the restrictions on a parent’s campus access and delayed responses to IEP and classroom-placement concerns are affecting his children’s ability to learn. The parent asked for timely communication and clearer procedures so the family can support the students and respond in emergencies.

What the board said it will do: At the meeting Schloss committed to follow up with Gilbert and to provide the family an update; Seguin said the board had the family’s contact information and would discuss next steps. The board did not take formal action on the matter during the meeting.

Context and limits: Gilbert and Higginbotham described the family’s concerns during the board’s public-comment period. The district did not provide additional documentation or a staffing timeline during the meeting. The board’s pledge to “circle back” is a commitment to follow up; it does not itself change any school assignment or policy.

Next steps noted at the meeting: The superintendent said she would contact the family and report back; no date for that follow-up was given in the public meeting record.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are identified from the meeting record.