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ESE advisory warns of removed 1:1 nursing aids, parents left without answers
Summary
The district’s ESE advisory reported that 1:1 nurses and paraprofessionals were removed from medically fragile students at some schools without clear communication; advisory leaders asked the superintendent for written processes and quicker response to parent inquiries.
The ESE (Exceptional Student Education) advisory council told the school board on April 8 that some medically fragile students have lost assigned 1:1 nurses or aides and that parents have not received timely explanations or daily updates.
Jacqui Luscombe, ESE advisory chair, said the advisory has pushed for answers and has not yet received comprehensive follow-up. She told the board the issue is urgent for parents whose children rely on daily nursing care and said some families were being forced to pursue repetitive follow-up calls to get basic information.
Simone Hollingsworth, the district’s chief academic officer, said the district is reviewing each case to determine the appropriate continuum of services and that “a few missteps” had been identified and rectified. Hollingsworth said staff are reaching out to families to confirm service plans.
Luscombe also raised a separate concern about a case in which a parent who filed a discrimination complaint reported that the school subsequently filed a bullying complaint against that parent. She said advisers had sought copies of protocols for handling such incidents and had been told to file a public-records request; she argued the protocols should be available without such a request.
General counsel and administration agreed to follow up. The superintendent told the board staff will provide a written explanation of processes for handling bullying and discrimination complaints and will follow up directly with the advisory and affected parents.
Why it matters: Removing a 1:1 nurse or paraprofessional can directly affect daily safety and learning for students with complex health needs. Advisory leaders told the board they need quicker, clearer communication and case-by-case remedies.
Ending: Staff said they will report back to the advisory with specific case follow-ups and deliver written process documentation on bullying/discrimination handling for parents and advisory members.
