Parent raises special-education and safety concerns during public comment; superintendent offers follow-up

At the March 20 Dixon Unified board meeting, parent Damian Schwab used the public-comment period to raise concerns about his son's special-education supports and recent disciplinary incidents.

Schwab said his son has an existing IEP that addressed academics but not behavior and that the family had previously requested additional supports including a paraeducator or a transfer. He said the student has been suspended multiple times this school year (the parent stated seven suspensions and "well over 10 days" cumulatively) and that he was concerned a recent incident and subsequent social-media posts had increased the likelihood of his son being targeted by others.

Schwab said he expected a manifestation-determination meeting, may be scheduled alongside his son's upcoming IEP meeting, and said he had not received full information from the principal. He told the board he had limited trust in the school's communications.

Superintendent Brett Barley responded during the meeting that he would not discuss a specific student in a public forum but asked Schwab to leave contact information and offered to schedule a meeting with the superintendent and the interim special-education director to review the family's concerns.

The board did not take action on the matter during the meeting. Staff said follow-up would occur in private with the family and interim special-education staff.