Parents tell board of bullying and unmet dyslexia needs at district schools

Two members of the public used the meeting's public-comment period to directly address the board about student safety and special-education services.

Amber Plank, who identified herself as a Ward 4 resident, said her daughter experienced targeted, ongoing bullying at a district school and told the board the district's response was inadequate. "You allowed her to be bullied, you saw the signs, you had the reports, and you did nothing," Plank said. She described lasting effects on her child's behavior and well-being and said she will continue to press the district and bring the matter to the city council if needed.

Anne Ramseth, who said she is the grandmother of a student diagnosed with dyslexia, told trustees she does not believe the district properly screened the child and said evidence-based reading instruction (she named Orton-Gillingham and Wilson programs) had not been provided. Ramseth said the family sought help outside the district and that the district had previously provided a district-paid liaison and a tutor costing $2,800 for another family; she asked for similar support for her grandson.

Superintendent Bob Joshick and board members did not offer an immediate substantive reply during public comment, but staff indicated district policy 206 governs public-comment procedures and that personnel- or student-specific matters should be handled through appropriate school administrators or through formal grievance channels. The board packet and meeting reminders referenced policy 206.

Board members acknowledged the comments and asked staff and district administrators to follow up through the appropriate channels.